This is part of a series on balance. Begin here to read more.

When my soul starts questioning life, I always find my way back to the book of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, who is even in secular history books considered one of the greatest rulers who ever lived.

God offered a young Solomon whatever he pleased and Solomon asked for an understanding heart to lead his people well. God loved this and gave Solomon so much more than he asked for. He gave Solomon incredible wisdom and gave Israel great wealth and influence under his reign.

Solomon lived a long life, making both good and bad choices. He experienced it all. He wrote several books but he wrote Ecclesiastes at the end of his life, looking back and tackling big questions. Why am I here? Has my life even mattered? What’s this all about? He lived to have everything he ever wanted and yet found it wasn’t enough. As he writes the book he comes to several conclusions that always leave me with a quiet sense of peace.

Solomon wrote the famous passage you’ve probably heard, “To everything there is a season…a time to be born, a time to die; a time to weep, a time to laugh; etc, etc.” At the end of this section, he wrote this,

“I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live, and also that everyone should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all his toil, for these things are a gift from God.” (3:12-13)

To live a balanced life, it’s crucial that we recognize the season we are in and embrace it. We must live fully present and accept each moment as a gift from God. Sometimes I would like to be able to live all the seasons at once. In college I worked hard but was constantly being filled with spiritual truth and encouragement. As a mom, I’m not being poured into like that. Authors I follow online release books and travel around speaking and working and I don’t have that freedom. There are days I cross off my to-do list like a pro and other days when keeping my kids alive is my major accomplishment.

Life will never look exactly like we wish it would – at least not all of it at once. If I want to live in balance, I must learn to be content. To soak up the blessings around me and thank God for them, even in the face of disappointment, grief or struggles.

Every season is necessary. Sometimes the earth needs plowing, weeds need pulling, seeds need planting and watering, and bushes need pruning. If I chafe at these chores because I’m not enjoying the fruit of harvest yet, I won’t appreciate the value of my current task. We work toward harvest but it is not everything. Like Solomon, we can find enjoyment in the hard work before the harvest as well.

In any given day I can be in several seasons. I can be in a season of giving all morning while I care for my kids and run errands and text friends needing encouragement. Then I can enter a season of receiving as the kids nap and I rest and read God’s word or listen to a podcast. Sometimes it’s time for me to write, and sometimes it’s time for me to live out what I’ll be writing about later.   A key to balance is resting in this moment where God has me and walking forward in that.

Maybe you’re in a dark or stormy season. Lean hard on God to carry you through it and keep moving forward. Maybe you’re in a season of harvest after your hard work and life is just good. Savor it and give God credit for the joy.

Discontentment always pulls us out of balance. Accepting our present life with open hands as a gift from God brings peace no matter what our circumstances may be.