I could chose eclectic or éclairs or elephants to be thankful for today. I could, but I didn’t. The first thing that popped in my head was Ecclesiastes, a nifty little book right in the heart of the Old Testament. There is something so lasting, so anchoring in reading about the people in the days of old and knowing they endured the same temptations, the same hardships, and they made the same excuses and whines that we do today.
Ecclesiastes probably came to mind because it has two of my favorite passages in all of scripture. And I love that even though the author, Solomon, lead a less than perfect life, God granted him great wisdom. Allow me to share some of that wisdom with you today.
Ecclesiastes 3:
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 4:
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
I don’t think I can improve on anything that’s not already said in these precious passages. They’re a pretty good prescription for life. Reading these beloved words again during this season of Thanksgiving renews my spirit. I hope it does the same for you.