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Midweek Faith Lift
August 23, 2023
For Everything There is a Season
Rev. Heather Withers, guest speaker
You may be familiar with this song made popular by The Byrds, Pete Seeger, and others. But did you know that there are several older versions, some dating back to at least three centuries before Jesus Christ?
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
A time to be born, and a time to die,
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted,
A time to weep, and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn, and a time to dance,
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to be silent, and a time to speak.
- King James Version.
Today I want to be more autobiographical than I usually am, sharing with you some of the important seasons of my life. For I believe that as we share we can deepen our understanding of each other and ourselves.
A Time to be Born
I was born in Liverpool, England, in 1938. My parents married later in life so I was their first and only child.
I gave the attending doctor a hard time. After being properly positioned for birth, I managed to do a 180o and emerged feet first. I was then, and am now, “Fired up and ready to go.”
I was a well loved child by my parents, grandparents, other relatives and friends.
A Time to Uproot
The following year the Second World War broke out in Europe. Since Liverpool was a port city and an entry point for American and Canadian soldiers, my parents knew it would be a target for heavy bombing. My mother, my grandparents and I, moved inland to Blackburn where we had relatives with whom we continued to stay in touch until they passed away many years later. My father stayed in Liverpool during the war working his civil service job and doing fire watching duty. He came to visit us when he had a free weekend.
In spite of the war, these were my golden years. I felt deeply loved by my parents and grandparents. I found a wonderful friend Janet who is still my friend to this day. I felt safe, surrounded by caring people, including my teachers at school. Although my family never went to church, I learned first hand about love and the difference between formal religion and spirituality.
A Time to Return
When the war ended, we moved back to Liverpool to a brand new post-war house. Janet, my friend from Blackburn, went to the same school. We have stayed close friends all these years. My grandparents also returned, and, although we no longer lived with them, we saw them frequently. We also saw more of my father’s brother, sister, and great aunt, who had stayed in Liverpool.
A Time of Death
My teenage years were painful for me. When I was fourteen my mother died, followed by my maternal grandmother and grandfather. A favorite aunt and her husband, as well as another uncle and a young cousin made their transition. We kept a stiff upper lip. I was told I must stay and look after my father until he died. Through it all, I found it hard, in the midst of all the grief, to identify with a loving God. It was only years later, when I went to a grief group, that I was able to let out all my pent up grief and emotion in a safe environment. And to feel the Presence, rather than the absence, of God.
A Time for Learning
At the time I was going to school, students took a virtual IQ test at age 11 which determined whether they would go to a grammar school, graduating at age 18, or a secondary modern or trade school, graduating at about age 16. Our headmistress would say to us: “Now girls, don’t associate with those boys who go to the school (trade) around the corner, they’re not your social class.” I have to agree - Ringo Starr went to the school around the corner and ended up making millions!! I was also aware of subtle social class differences at my high school between ‘scholarship’ kids and ‘fee paying’ students
A Time for Higher Education
After high school I attended Liverpool University and continued living with my father. It was an eye-opening experience for me - Marxist professors, fellow students who were far more sophisticated and worldly wise than I was. I felt very immature in comparison. I wanted to be free to be myself, but didn’t know how to do it, especially as leaving the nest might greatly upset my relatives on Dad’s side of the family.
I met a fellow student at the university through a Christian group. He was short in stature. Today some people might describe him as one of the little people. My father and aunt were very upset by my friendship with Norman and did not want me to see him. They threatened to disown me and cut me out of their wills: I was never disowned, but I was cut out of wills. At the same time, Norman was telling me that if I didn’t marry him, his life would be ruined. I was torn between Norman and my family. I ended up marrying Norman.
O Canada
Norman felt that to give our marriage a chance, we had to move away from the disapproval of my family. So we moved to Canada. We only knew one distant cousin, had no job to go to nor much money. Fortunately, things worked out. But it was a very painful time: being cut out of wills etc. and being apart from the people I loved. Eventually Norman and I separated and divorced. Happily, my father, aunt and uncle and I reestablished a good relationship.
A Time for Change
Since that time I have made many changes in my life - several different occupations including social work, college teaching, counseling,, research, planning and education, ministry, etc. I have lived in several different locations, but have called Ames home for the past 25 years. I am greatly blessed to have a loving God in my life, a supportive husband for the past 38 years, and family and friends who have shown me great love, kindness, and support.
A Time to Step Out in Faith
I’m now ready for a quantum leap doing things I never gave myself enough time to do, including writing, community service, counseling, travel, and more of a focus on health and spirituality. As I turn 85, I want to be more open and honest about the seasons of my life as I believe it is when we let down our guard and seek our truth in love that we can help each other lead more fulfilling and authentic lives.
I am very grateful to God, Rev. Deb and the wonderful people at Unity Church of Ames, to all relatives, friends, colleagues etc. who have supported me in all the seasons of my life.
I look forward to our continuing friendships,
With love and appreciation,
Heather
May the road rise up to meet you;
May the wind be always at your back;
May the sun shine bright upon your face;
And may the rain be gentle on your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of their hand.
Amen. - Irish blessing
May all the seasons of your life be blessed.
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