Chappy’s On Eagle’s Wings
The Changing Seasons of Life
by Ron Ringo
With the change from spring to the hot days of summer, and soon to fall’s cooler days and falling leaves, we see a representation of the equally distinct changes occurring in our own lives.
I don’t know about you, but I have been feeling a little bit old lately. A few years ago now, I had the rare opportunity to ride home on an amphibious ship with one of my sons, my namesake, from the war in Iraq, OIF I. I reflected on when I was a young Infantry Marine, and wondered how I would have felt leaving a war zone. It was a time I will remember, hanging over the rails, looking out over the ocean and listening to my son share his experiences of the war - one this father will put forever into his footlocker.
Then a few weeks later, I had another time in this season of life with a rarity attached to it. I had the opportunity to perform the wedding of our youngest daughter. If you think having one of your children get married is difficult, try getting the words out without blubbering too much, while performing the ceremony! Again, it was a choice experience, with many friends and family around to share in the experience. Now, again my oldest daughter has just asked me to officiate at her wedding…Unique blessings. It seemed like only a short time ago when her mother and I had cut our cake with a sword and danced our wedding dance. Where did all those years go?
It seems like the seasons come and go at a much faster pace. I know I was just twenty yesterday… What ought to be our priorities during these ever accelerating seasons of life? A writing I had come across some time ago may help us reflect on this quandary. It is entitled “Lifetimes”.
Are you a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime? Pay attention to what you read. After you read this, you will know that people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON… it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, the person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.
When people come into our life for a SEASON it is because our turn has come to share, grow, and learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something new. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons. Things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put to use what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind, but friendship is clairvoyant.
Stop here for a moment and just smile. Now, from here on out in your life, work like you don’t need the money. Love like you’ve never been hurt. And dance like no one is watching. Be grateful for those in your life, because their reasons and seasons may soon be over.
Much like my experience with my son coming home from war, or marrying off one of my daughters, or continually trying to be a good parent to my two youngest children still at home, life will be full of reasons, seasons and lifetimes. We need to decide how we will make the most of them and what memories we want to create. This should be our priority… To make a wedding more memorable by performing it, making the sacrifices to ride that ship home with my son, or creating special father-son campouts with my two younger boys. These are some of the memories I want to have for them and me to remember. Let us accept and make the most of whatever may be ahead in our coming days and seasons.
It has been said: “Our spirits live where our minds choose to dwell.” I pray that I may remember to look for the reasons, plan for the seasons, and make them memories and lessons for a lifetime. May you do the same.
I would like to end with a short poem I had come across that may help us to reflect on this a little further. It is entitled: “Measuring Life” by Charles W. Doutt.
Time is not the measure of life’s joys and tears;
Mostly it is mileposts along the road of years.
Love cannot be measured, kindness has a worth,
Friendship has a meaning, faith comes not of earth.
Not the years we’ve traveled, but the good we’ve done,
Is life’s truest measure at its setting sun.
As always, it is my hope that this message will help you this week to, “mount up as on eagle’s wings”, and renew a little of your strength to keep moving forward and find joy… (Isaiah 40:31)
Until next time, may God bless you and may God continue to bless our great nation… SEMPER FI
Chaplain Ringo, is the Command Chaplain at MCRD H&S BN, holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Counseling, and is a Certified Trauma Specialist.
Chaplain Ringo is a good friend and supporter of HealthWalk’s. We are grateful that he is working with us on our integrated total health approach to enhancing and restoring our veterans’ resilience for re-engagement and for their transition from the high operational tempo back to their families and civilian life.