"How To Say Good-Bye"
by Michael W. Smith (YouTube)
Weddings and graduations serve as important rites of passage from one season of life to another. June is a big month for both, and perhaps someone in your extended family is celebrating one of these this year. My prayer is that whatever your relationship to the celebrants, you're able to embrace the new chapter that is about to begin, even as you tearfully wave good-bye to the old. Be comforted. Listen here to Michael W. Smith as he shares his heart in a song that was inspired when he dropped his daughter off for college.
Related: Read about Tammy's family wedding at Family Doin's or Vicki's family wedding at Windows To My Soul. And Lori at Living For the Simple Things in Life shares her family's graduation stories.
For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break 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 cast away stones,
and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace.
(Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 ESV)
Does this song encourage you? Photo Credit: wetwebwork (Flickr)
15 Comments:
Thanks for bringing on the water works this morning, e-Mom! This reminds me to enjoy my kids while they are still here and makes me feel a little guilty for always pushing to accomplish tasks instead of stopping to spend time and notice them.
Does it encourage me? I'm not sure about that, lol, but it DOES resonate WITH me :).
Having spent the week in DC w/my daughter's 8th grade class this week, I caught a glimpse of "saying goodbye" to her. She has been a dream daughter from the get-go, not perfect but precious, and seeing her prefer the company of her friends to me for the most part was a reminder that we're raising her for someone else, not ourselves.
I cannot imagine high school graduation...and college...and (yikes!) a wedding! Then, again, I DO have at least a few years until then.
Hmmm, you're getting the ol' blog wheels to turn in my mind. I never worry about running out of things to blog about, right now I have so MANY I don't know where to begin! So instead of writing, I'm catching up with a few friends.
Hope you're doing well...is your life approaching anywhere near "normal"? It's been a CRAZY season for you (if I were writing this passage in Ecc, I might've included a line for that :) ).
Hugs :).
Tears, tears, tears! Sometimes I need to see/hear stuff like this to put my world into perspective. My boys won't be with me forever and I already dread the day that they are on their own. I love MWS but I actually hadn't heard this song of his yet. I'm definitely adding it to my list of favorite songs that play on my blog. Thanks, e-mom. As always, you are an inspiration!
Waaaaah Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Ugh, I'm not ready. I have been crying for weeks thinking about Britt going in January. I like the song, but I like the verse better.
it goes too fast.
I see things from the other perspective and it made me cry too! I will soon be returning to my parents home for the summer--my work is overseas. And it is hard on them I know... and hard on me. And yet God has been so good to us.
First time on your blog...love Michael W. Smith..saw him in concert a few years ago.....so this was great then spent some time listening to his song *Friends are Friends forever*...you know the one...
Deby
WA. State
Thanks so much for this post. After having my oldest graduate last month, and adopting my youngest 2 months ago..........it really touches my heart.
My oldest graduated last year and was married a week ago. It can be very bitter sweet, but mostly sweet. I've never wanted to hold on too tight and I have found that watching them bloom and fly on their own is a wonderful experience.
I'm glad that my daughter is still living close for now. It will be fun to watch their new life blossom. We'll see how I do with the next four. At least I have a few years before they are all gone since my youngest two are 6 and 7 still.
MWS can always make me cry. His songs are so personal and heartfelt. But this one is new to me and of course is what we've been going through the past 2 years! It's so hard....thanks for the great song to put into words what we've been feeling. ;)
You're always so timely...how DO you do it?
tami: Lol, "waterworks." This is a moving song isn't it? :~)
robin: How sad to watch your daughter pushing away from you this week! (Our kids took a trip to DC in 8th grade history class too.) It's a slow series of good-byes isn't it?... from the first time we drop them off at pre-school, to their college graduations. Like every Mom, I've cried bucketsful at every major turning point.
This song is particularly relevant for me too right now. We formally said good-bye to our step-Mom this weekend at a Memorial Service. For Christians, the sting of death is softened, but I ache for all our family members who are still walking in darkness.
Lol, a time for "CRAZY" would indeed have been appropriate in this Ecclesiastes passage. (Go Robin!) Still a few more hurdles to jump in regard to dealing with our aging parents, but we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for asking. HUGS! :~)
kimmy: I'm so glad you enjoyed this song!
Fortunately, you still have several years ahead with your boys. However, we noticed how quickly time sped by once our kids reached high school. Life is a daily challenge when they're young--and especially if they have special needs, as your oldest does. Be encouraged.
tara: Glad you like the verse. I know how hard it will be to say good-bye to Britt in January. :~( Our daughter's 16th birthday triggered a host of unresolved losses in me... which I was finally able to deal with. Don't be surprised if old outdated "stuff" bubbles up during this period. I pray you find healing for anything that's still buried.
the beloved: You've offered a wonderful insight as the daughter who has "fled the nest" and is now returning home. I'm sure your parents have entrusted you to the Lord--but I no doubt it's been hard for them. :~)
daughter of the king: Welcome Deby! (We live in WA state too.) How did you find Chrysalis? I'm so pleased you enjoyed this song by MWS. :~)
rachelle: You've have a lot going on in your life lately. :~) Blessings on you and your family.
pam: You have a such a rich family life, and I appreciate your attitude. It sounds like you've learned how to give your children "roots and wings."
cristie: MWS certainly does sing from the heart! This song touched me too. I think we're in a similar place in life... :~)
I'm glad you find my post timely! I try to respond to what other bloggers are writing about--and many of the topics I write about resonate with me personally too.
What a beautiful song by Michael W. Smith (but then again--he is a great artist).
Yes, kids grow up fast. Everyone is telling you that, but when it is time for the first graduation, it hits you like a ton of brick...
We were blessed that Daniel went to college in town. We will see how I will be when he actually moves out...
Thank you for sharing.
eph2810: I didn't realize Daniel was still living at home. I know you'll enjoy him while you can.
We're still adjusting to our empty nest. We've had so many aging parents' issues to deal with lately, we've hardly had time to think about it... a good thing I think. :~)
Thank you so much for the link! I wrote you two long comments and my computer shut down both times. One of the blower inside the computer isn't working, it gets to hot and all is lost on my end. I'm going to post this now so it won't shut down on me. I'll blog again as soon as I get this computer to stay on longer than a few minutes.
Gosh, I've missed you. Just rereading this and your comment...reminds me my blog friends are very real to me...
lori: Thanks for trying (twice!). I had the same problem with the fan recently. My husband removed the "skin" from my system to keep it cool, and that made all the difference. :~)
robin: So nice to see you back! Yes, blog friends truly are real friends. Cool, eh?
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