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The writer of Ecclesiastes is a little suspicious about the generation that will inherit the fruits of his labor, because they may not honor his work or even remember him. But as the oldest daughter used to an extra helping of family responsibility, I’m delighted to watch our next generation grow into capable adults who can help in real ways.
“Two are better than one…If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” says Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. With God’s help, we may turn into a gifted team. The to-do list can be shared. Each of us can pick up a piece of it.
The tasks on my to-do list for the next year or so won’t be easy, but Ecclesiastes will help. In Ecclesiastes 3, notice how every item begins with “a time to…” A time to be born, die, plant, uproot, weep, laugh, mourn dance and so on. It’s less a to-do list and more a to-experience list, a reminder to be present to others and ourselves every moment that we can.
This message is excerpted from “All in good time” by Anne Basye in the May/June 2023 Gather magazine.