Drop One Hundred Thirty-one

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - 8

“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven – A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.” (NASB1995).

Tonight, the phone rang. It was an “unknown caller” and had the familiar connect to call sound related to robot caller. Hesitant to share any information in response to the caller asking if my husband was available, I responded with, “Regarding?”. After that, they attempted to confirm that I am his wife. Knowing all the concerns regarding saying “yes” to an unknown caller, I remained silent. He stated in a frustrated tone, “Nice” and hung up. I tried to call back to see if the business was legitimate – no answer. Now, for the nostalgia. While growing up, we were taught to answer the phone, “Hello, you have reached the _____ family residence.” The caller would ask for whom they were calling for, then our response would be, “Who may I say is calling, please?” Once we knew, we would call out for the person it was for – we only had landlines – or ask for a message if the person the call was meant for was unavailable. How I miss those times. So much has changed. Thankfully, God is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being faithful. Thank You that we can trust You completely. While we struggle in this world, You remain in control. You use the difficult and trying things of this life to refine us and prepare us for eternity. Thank You for choosing to work in and through us each day to make us more like You. May we recognize the value of our trials and trust You through them with hope and thanksgiving.

In the Name of Jesus we pray,

AMEN