Seasons of Life
By Yeoh Chee Koon
MOSAIC Team
“Tis the season to be jolly”, goes that popular Christmas carol, but this Christmas I find myself going beyond narrowly focusing on the usual festivities, to reflect on the seasons of our lives.
That is because this will be a very different Christmas for us with our daughter and her family having returned from Glasgow after 25 years, and now residing with us. It has made me reflect that, in the time that she has been away, my husband and I have gone through many cycles of life, from focusing on careers to long distance grandparenting. Now, with me at 75 and Teng Hong nearing 80, and enjoying our retirement, we have the added joy of having both our children back in Singapore with us.
Happy to finally have the whole family back to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 states that “there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”. In this current season, I find that there are three priorities that are taking hold, as I become more mindful of mortality, and of the fact that every day is indeed a gift from the Lord:
1. The need to declutter and to simplify my life, starting with refraining from collecting stuff - easier said than done, especially when it comes to sieving through photos and memorabilia. I should not burden my children with having to clean up after me when I am gone.
2. The importance of cultivating friendships. I was never into seeking out friends, preferring to carve out “me” time outside of work. But now, since I no longer spend half my time in Glasgow any more, I am realising the importance of a social network. It is remarkable how the Lord is bringing in friends with shared interests, so now I have, inter alia, movie / opera / foodie / travel / Uni / “glam-ma” / workplace and church groups to interact with in person, and online.
Holidaying with friends in Korea – we were dubbed the “Magnificent 7” by fellow travellers for our joie de vivre.
3. Critically, even as Psalm 90:12 exhorts us “... to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”, I am mindful that my runway is getting shorter. As the end draws near, I need to be making the most of my time to do what counts towards His kingdom purpose, welcoming interruptions along the way. The operative verse, for me, is Matthew 5:16, “…let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”.
This is me in the autumn of my life. But for the rest of us, in this season of giving, we ought to remember too, that our God is a giving God, and we are to mirror Him. For did not John 3:16 tell us that “for God so loved the world that he GAVE his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”?
Irrespective of whatever season of life we are in, as kids, teenagers, young adults, working professionals, homemakers, retirees, HVMC provides a most convenient platform for us to exercise our talents, and share our time and treasures. It thrills me to see youngsters go on stage to help with the sermonette, parents of young kids still finding time to serve in church, and then there are those who generously open their homes for life group meetings, making sure we are well-fed at the end of each sharing session.
Our TENANG Life group meets regularly at Kwok Yan’s (seated left) home.
Another good example was our recent Advent Carols production, which provided a perfect opportunity for bite-sized volunteering! Once you get a taste and see how good it is, you will find yourself embarking on a wonderful journey that will enrich you through all the seasons of your life.
This Christmas, as we let our light shine for Christ in an increasingly challenging world, we pray that those around us will see that He, who is the true light that gives light to everyone, has come into the world that we may have life, and have it to the fullest (John 10:10).
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