My Journey with Dad

October 18th, 2023

Photo Credit: Me
November 1st, 2019

Hello & Thanks for stopping by…

I took the above picture a few years ago and it’s a favorite of mine. The beautiful colors of fall and the bright sun shining in the background. I’m not sure if I have a favorite season, each have unique qualities and duties. Winter is my least favorite but I love Christmas and Christmas with snow is perfect. Speaking of seasons, I recently posted some favorite Bible verses from the Old Testament detailing seasons.

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot, 

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build, 

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance, 

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away, 

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent 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

What Season are you Experiencing?

The best way for me to describe my season is sort of a partly foggy sunrise. Moving forward cautiously and keenly searching for the light. Here’s a photo I took that looks like how I feel.

October 3rd, 2018

I love this photo, it makes me think of hope. It gives me the sensation of a cool crisp morning. Each new day, we each have the opportunity to share our best with everyone we come into contact with. Daily, we have reason to thank God for His unfailing love, grace and mercy. I have the privilege to spend precious time with dad. After four months of hospital and nursing home stays, he is back in his own home. Although, he would prefer that he could care for himself instead of hospice care; his outlook and spirits are high. He has the sweetest disposition and thankful to everyone who provides the smallest of kindness. My dad loves God, his family and his neighbors. I’m quite sure he’s never met a stranger, he would give you the shirt he was wearing if you needed it.

I’m so thankful to be able to share this time with my dad and sharing it with my brother is a bonus.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”Proverbs 22:6

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” Colossians 3:20

“‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 5:16

In closing, caring for family is something I am very acquainted with and very proud to be a part of. My parents cared for my grandparents in the same manner that I am caring for my dad. I am rich beyond measure.

“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

`eth • chronos • kairos

2023 October 12th (EST)

Hello Friends—

I have been thinking a lot about “time” recently. Time is something most of us think about everyday. There’s even some of us who obsess about time. But, how do we define time. Time is something I have wanted to research a bit deeper. I’ve always found the words in Ecclesiastes 3 filled with wisdom and comfort as it addressed “time.”

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent 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

In my research I found an interesting article written by Melissa Henderson, click the link below:

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-does-the-bible-say-about-time.html?amp=1

Also, follow her on WordPress at:

https://melissaghenderson.com/

The article provides the Greek and Hebrew words for time. (They are in my title). Many of the examples below are directly from the article and I do not take credit for them, I only wish to share the information. If you are wanting more information please click the link above for the entire article.

Chronos is sequential and quantitative time.

Et (or ‘eth) is an event or occasion.

Kairos is “a propitious moment for decision or action.” Scripture shares that kairos is a time that requires a conversion. “After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:14-15 (NIV)

As I read the Greek and Hebrew words for time, they were very familiar to me. They are used in a series of books I’ve recently read. If you have never read the Time- Quintet book series by Madeleine L’Engle, I strongly encourage you to do so. Many of her books were written for younger audiences and yet, they are equally if not better for adults. For a recommended order of reading click this link:

https://www.howtoread.me/time-quintet-books-in-order/

When we think about time; we must remember that we experience time differently than God experiences time. Humans created clocks and other instruments to keep track of events, activities, and special occasions. One important fact that we as Christians know is that God was, God is, and God always will be. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty” Revelation 1:8 (NIV). There was never a time without God.

Our calculation of time is not the same as how God defines time. There can be comfort in knowing and remembering His timing is always best. When we pray and ask for answers in a quick time, comfort can be found in knowing God hears all prayers.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Several years ago I wrote a poem, sort of a poem. Let’s just say a collection of words. I posted them below with a couple of minor changes. My current life situation has caused me to embrace time, not how much; short or long…just being in the moment of time itself.

I am living with my dad and he is receiving hospice services at home. He is doing okay although his energy level remains low. The agency we are using is “Guardian Angel” and they have been wonderful to work with. It is a privilege to be able to spend this time with my dad. Several family members are helping with all the things that need to be done. We have been able to provide 24/7 care with no out of pocket money so far. I love giving my time to dad, it’s not taking time from me at all. As I look back on my life, my parents always gave of their time to our family. My parents shared their time equally between my brother and me and supported each of our aspirations. They always had time for family, friends and neighbors.

Life has taught me that none of us have the ability to add, subtract, multiply or divide time. It’s the moments and memories that are craved into our souls during time that truly matter. Instead of worrying about time that we can’t control, make memories with the time at hand.

Lost, Here all the Time...


For days now,
the winds of this life have left me wanting...
searching...
lost...and forgotten.

Satisfaction is elusive
in a very real sense

My thoughts, they deceive me

What is fact and what is fiction,

They are all scrambled one upon another, what to do

I have lost my way,
a ship at sea with no captain,
with no sail

Oh God of heaven and earth,
lead me back to you

I need what only you can give, forgiveness and acceptance

Only you can love me
though undeserving I am...

Your unconditional love
will free me from myself

Please, I beg...
take these burdens,
teach me your ways

My ways are weak and cause great pain
I ache and yearn for what this world can give. Alas, it does not sustain me and it takes pleasure in my pain

Take my empty dreams and
my broken promises

Fill me with Your love,
Your compassion and
Your promises.

For they will never fail,
They will never be withered by time
They will endure generation
after generation with no end.

Oh God, clothe me in your love
Use me to spread your message
to others

Others like me, longing for real joy, true happiness and
Limitless abounding love for always.

C.A.Robinson ©️
July 05, 2013
11:28pm
Updated October 10th, 2023©️

Thank you for stopping by my blog. I am honored that you shared your time with me.

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.