By: Cathy Renee King

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

I sat watching the activity on the river today. It was Labor Day: the last hurrah of summer and the weather was perfect!

The normally tranquil river was transformed into a sea of boats. I enjoyed the boat show and the sound of the waves lapping on the shore from their wake. The first boats to arrive in the morning were the optimistic fishermen. They slowly trolled close to shore hoping to catch the “Big One.” Later, the pontoon boats came, filled with friends and family. One family anchored their pontoon boat in a protected cove across the river. It provided the perfect place for them to picnic and swim. The sunny afternoon brought numerous boats trimmed for maximum speed. They were joined by boats pulling skiers and tubers with laughing children hanging on for dear life. Then, the jet skiers arrived. They sped around on their floating motorcycles racing and circling around other boaters.

Watching all the fun, I fondly remembered the summers of my youth: boating, water skiing, and swimming. In those days, I felt sorry for the old people quietly sitting on shore just watching. Now, I am one.

I reflected on the seasons of life perfectly unfolding according to God’s plan.