Joe wrote his last lesson on March 15, 2020. He delivered it to me on Christmas Eve. As Sunday School Superintendent, Joe delivered a brief “mini lesson” to the church congregation before we dismissed to go to our classes each week. He wrote each lesson in a beautiful leather notebook with a beautiful Cross pen, gifted to him by his wonderful wife{wink}.
March 15 2020 was the last time we had “regular” Sunday School at Seven Springs Baptist Church. The notebook was left on a dresser in our home office, untouched until Christmas Eve 2020…19 days after Joe’s death.
I attempted to wrap gifts in the office that day, but my heart just wasn’t in it. Instead, I wandered from corner to corner of this room filled with Joe’s prized possessions, touching things…trying to find some peace or solace in a world filled with his things, but not with him. The black leather notebook was wedged underneath several other books. I passed it several times before I tugged it from its spot. I opened it backwards, so the first page I saw was the last page he wrote. It was dated March 15 2020, which in my memory stands out as one of the last “normal” days this world knew, before masks and distancing and fear knocked on our doors as an uninvited guest. I am sure I thought to myself during the months that followed that things couldn’t get much worse. On December 5, 2020, I learned that things could, indeed, get much worse.
I honestly don’t remember Joe delivering this message to our congregation in March. Maybe I was already in my classroom. Maybe I just wasn’t paying attention. Maybe God knew in March that I would need this lesson more on December 24. I sat down in his leather recliner and read these words, knowing that somehow, my sweet Joe was speaking directly to me. He wrote:
March 15 2020
A SEASON FOR EVERYTHING
I really enjoy fall and winter. Each year I look forward to the cooler temperatures after our hot and humid Eastern North Carolina summer. I look forward to hunting season, Thanksgiving and Christmas. But, by the time we get through the cold, short days of January and February, I’ll admit that I am ready to see some signs of spring.
Winter helps to prepare the ground for the next season. Without each season playing its part, our environment here on earth would surely collapse.
Sometimes, as Christians, we may think that if we follow God’s commands and do like we are supposed to, we won’t (or we shouldn’t have to) endure hardships or hurt. However, life, like nature, moves in seasons.
Ecclesiastes 3 states that “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Heaven. A time to be born. A time to die. A time to plant. A time to pluck what is planted. A time to kill. A time to heal. A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance.”
We are part of a sinful world, and we ourselves are not without sin. Sometimes being part of that world means that we have to go through our own painful experiences or seasons.
Yet, God will take our hard times and trials and use them for good and for His glory. He will take our season of suffering and use it to open our eyes to the hard times others are going through. He will use seasons of death to remind us of the beauty of life. He will use our season of sorrow to draw us ever closer to Him.
Whatever season of life you find yourself in right now, I want you to remember that God uses everything for the good of those who love Him.
Take some time to examine the seasons of your life. Remember how God spoke to you and as you go out into the world this week, look for others who need your encouragement.
I’ll leave you with Ecclesiastes 3:11: “He hath made everything beautiful in His time”.
-JMP
Although I’d give most anything to hear that sweet southern drawl again, I still find peace as I read his words. On every page, Joe’s words direct us toward God’s word. So, I share this with you because Joe asked me to look for others who need encouragement. This season of my life is hard…but Joe reminded me that I have never been through a season that God was not holding me. He holds you, too. Right this very moment, you and I are cradled safely in the palm of God’s hand. We may be broken, but may we always remember that He hath made everything beautiful in His time.
…Words of Wisdom from the Book of Joe
The Book of Joe 