“Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. ”

                                                 -Ecclesiastes 5:18

This time of year is always one of the most busy seasons of life around our home. The grass is growing and needs cut; the flowers are blooming and need weeded; the weather’s nice, and you can’t help but notice that the shed could really use a fresh coat of paint. All of a sudden the days of hot chocolate and sled rides come to an end, and we quickly come to the realization that there’s about a million and one things we did last spring that somehow came undone over the winter months. With toolbox in hand, we thus set out to rid ourselves of any degree of spring fever while silently hope we don’t kill ourselves in the process.

Of course there’s nothing at all wrong with some good, hard work. In fact, Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 2:24 that “there is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour.”  The problem we must avoid, however, is in allowing our ever-growing list of things to do distract us from that which is truly important in life (see my last post). Even though most spring chores usually can’t be postponed for very long at a time, I truly believe these moments are some of the best for intimate fellowship with God since it is in these moments that our true character really begins to shine through. Once we learn to walk with God while tilling the garden, it won’t be so hard to walk with Him through the valleys of this life.

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”

                                                   -Ecclesiastes 9:10

What will you be doing tomorrow? Cutting the grass? Then sing songs of praise to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19). Raking the leaves? Then meditate on God’s Word or talk to Him in prayer (Psalm 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Whatever we do we are commanded to all to the glory of God (Colossians 3:23), and there’s few better ways to do this than in acknowledging you can’t go a minute without Him by your side. It is only then that we can experience the fullness of joy His presence brings (Psalm 16:11).