There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven:
a time to give birth and a time to die.
~Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
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Our girl Megan is delightful to be around, all smiles and giggles and full of bright joy. Yes, Megan is a beam of sunshine … that is, until the party is over.
And by party, I mean any activity she is enjoying, whether it is a family movie night or a youth activity at the church or a friend stopping by to visit or company for Sunday afternoon lunch. Whenever the fun is over, Megan deflates like a balloon. You can literally see her wilting into sadness because she just doesn’t want it to be over.
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Megan does not like endings. Neither do I.
Today is another ending. April is coming to a close. The A to Z Blog Challenge is over. And I’m just as sad as I am glad.
Life is like that though. Seasons come and go.
Babies grow into toddlers and then children. Oh, how I loved those years. And then those children grew some more, turning into self-sufficient tweens and teens who didn’t much need (or even want) my help. Now I find myself wondering if this season of adolescence will ever end. I have to remind myself multiple times daily that these teens of mine will eventually be adults. This too shall pass.
This spring I have received more high school graduation invitations than normal, and I am amazed at how many of them are coming from the children of friends of mine who I went to high school or college with … talk about making me feel old! Yet, mixed in with all the graduation photos was an invitation to a baby shower. Another beginning because the circle never ends.
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Seasons come and seasons go.
My life sometimes feels so topsy-turvy. I want to drag my feet to slow down the passage of time so that my children won’t grow up in the blink of an eye, while at the same time impatiently wanting Friday to hurry up and get here!
It’s crazy.
But in the middle of my own craziness, I’m grateful for this truth I can hang onto:
God is in the beginnings and the endings … and the in-between moments, too.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. ~Revelation 1:8
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This post is part of the 2015 A-to-Z Blogging Challenge. If you are visiting due to that, thanks so much for popping in to read today’s post. I hope you will leave me a comment so that I can return the visit to your blog. I love to connect with other bloggers and readers. If you are a regular reader, I hope you’ll stick with me during April when I blog about the stories of my faith.
Tales from the Laundry Room 
This is so true isn’t it??!! I find myself in the same place- kids growing up into teens, then adults, graduations, marriages, babies….. Funny, but next year, I will not have a child in the single digits any longer. Such a weird feeling! And yet, I will have a grandchild! Beginnings and endings- and God is in it all!!
Yes! God is in it all! Love that line!
I told my girls that when they turned 15, they would then go back to 14, 13 down to 10 and then back up to 15 again. This is a family joke but no one has followed my rules! I miss the elementary school years the most, now they are teens and somewhat addicted to technology. What you wrote really resonated with me. I have enjoyed reading you from A to Z and look forward to more. Take care, Cheryl
LOL! I love your aging rule. Too bad kids have to grow up … mine are all teens (with one nearly 12 year old), and I miss the younger years too. Oh, well … there is always grandkids to look forward to someday, and I hear they are better than kids. 😀
That is what my husband keeps saying but I want my kids younger! I miss it so much. Oh well… I can’t beat it ,so I might as well accept it… or try!
Jon and I have become foster parents in the past year, which is a challenge as we already have five kids living in our home. It’s hard, but I have loved having little ones again, even if they are in and out. It’s not for everyone, but definitely satisfied a longing in my heart. I definitely relate to your feelings about missing my children when they were little.
How wonderful of you to accept such responsibility and caring for those children who so need it. Must feel very rewarding to help little ones! You clearly were meant to do this with the number of children and still making time for yourself and your needs. Congrats! They are very lucky to have you in their corner.
man, real stuff here! especially that part about waiting on friday…yet on saturday and sunday i realize my girls are growing way too fast for me…..insanity.
I agree completely, Blue! Thanks for commenting on my blog. 🙂
This was an excellent post and a great way to use “Z”. It reminded me of the Apostle Paul who said, “… I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation …” Phillipians 4:12.
Thanks, Kathleen! I didn’t initially think of the Philippians verse, but I agree that it does apply here as well. 🙂
It is so true that all good things must come to an end, but I love the positive thought you’ve left us with here!
Thanks! Endings are hard (sometimes), but I like to remember that God is in the beginning, the middle and the end of every season. Praying for your family as you have reached the end of seminary and are about to begin a brand-new season of ministry!
Thanks so much! We’re thrilled to start a new chapter together as a family, and I’m extremely happy to be closing the book on grad school!
You did it! You did it!