There is a time for everything
By Rev Lindsay Turnbull, Hamilton Trinity Parish Church
Last week I was on holiday in Portobello. It had seemed a long time coming and I was so looking forward to it. Time to spend with friends and family. Time to wander along the beach, rest and relax. Time to do all sorts of other things.
And in many ways it turned out like that. I met folk over coffee and meals, had surprise catch-ups with others in the street.
I wandered along the beach and sat in the back garden reading, just being.
I watched the Riding of the Marches in Musselburgh which I’d never done before. All of which were great.
But, as it often is in life, there were downs as well as ups. It wasn’t great being involved in a minor car accident. It wasn’t great sitting in the pews of the church I’d gone to almost all my life for the last time.
But even in these there was blessing and joy. The caring, supportive people who came to help, the kind, friendly policeman who visited later, the church folk grieving alongside me.
I’m now back home with familiar words from the writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes in my head and in my heart. Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses – a time for tearing down and a time for building up … a time for sorrow and a time for joy … a time for war and a time for peace.
Whatever is happening in your life and our world at the moment may you too find blessing and joy in amongst all of it - certain that although we don’t understand, God has set the time and is always there with us.