Symbolic Youth

Ecclesiastes 11:10 tell us, “So then banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.” According to the author of my Bible Study, we are to just get on with living no matter the age. I have to add here that, “God’s got this!” --meaning the youth or the old-age thing. 

Symbolic Youth

 

As a youth I was complacent about half trust,

Just marking time to be grown and out on my own.

I was living life in its simple form which was a teenager’s norm.

Then life took place, and being older didn’t offer so much grace.

I looked back to my teen years and found myself in tears.

I began raging over this process of aging.

When did these gray hairs grow in?

What made this double chin?

My face has sprinkles of wrinkles.

My body is beginning to creak and groan,

And my forearms are no longer toned.

The sagging skin around my knees, I no longer wish to be bared,

 and my hearing is impaired.

My hair is thinning, and I am no longer grinning.

I am getting forgetful, and it’s making me fretful.

Oh, how I long for those teenage years with no debts in arrears.

And where, oh where, are the days of my youth,

When I had legs that were strong and could run,

When I had no cancerous skin from the sun,

When I had less hair that is white,

When I had better eye-sight,

When I had more teeth to number,

Less time needed for slumber, 

And when I had no pain from a walk down the lane?

Where, oh where, are those carefree days as, into the mirror, I gaze?

 

Mary Crisp Jameson  4/7/2026

 

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name...who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103:1,5 NIV 

 

“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I find pleasure in them’ - before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop...” Ecclesiastes 12: 1-3a NIV

Meaningless or Meaningful

In Solomon’s search, within his wisdom, he said that nothing on earth will last. In death, nothing earned or done will be taken with a person. In time, deeds will not be remembered. In Ecclesiastes we are told, “Nothing is new under the sun.” Yet, God makes all things new. That is where my treasure lies and where I need to place my focus. Below is my take according to what I am studying in Ecclesiastes. 

 

Meaningless or Meaningful 

 

When all is said and done

Everything is meaningless under the sun.

What goes around, comes around.

In death’s time, my life will not be found;

My accomplishments not brought to mind-

Deeds not remembered through age-old time.

What has been will be again,

Either now or then.

Yet, I press on before my life is gone.

For with God there is something new to gain-

Something meaningful to attain.

It’s what God put there within my soul;

A love that fills my empty hole.

There is a grace to gain within earth’s place.

With God’s hand there is newness in this land-

A new song which keeps me strong-

A new earth within my Christian birth-

A new Heaven to win from where I’ve been.

A meaningful life is 

A work for God’s glory-telling His story!

 

Mary Crisp Jameson – 1/24/2026 

 

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 NIV 

 

 

Time

Being retired, I often wake to think, "What will I do with my time today?" Then other days, I have so much I want to get done that I wonder, "Will l have time to do it all?" Time is here today, then gone, and back another day. It seems time is endless, but then time is gone before I know it. How does this make any sense? 

     There are a lot of quotes about time. Below are just a few. However, Ecclesiastes 3 provides the most valuable information. 

 

Time is money

Time is fleeting

Time heals all wounds 

Time waits for no man 

Time brings all things to pass

Time flies over us but leaves its shadow

 

     Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 KJV  “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to plunk up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance, a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get, and a time to lose, a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, a time to sow; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”

  

     Ecclesiastes tells me all I need to know about time. What I ask myself is, “What is the time, and will I use it wisely?” 

More on time coming soon...

 

Food for Thought

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 gives a conclusion Solomon made about the advantages of companionship. “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” 

     I actually used this verse in my marriage vows; however, I believe that the “two” do not necessarily mean spouses. It could be a friend or even the church family. We all need someone to talk with. For that reason, I certainly need to develop friendships; friendships that are meaningful. 

     Thinking about this, what about the “two” meaning the Holy Spirit. He lives! He is my constant companion. He came into my life when I believed and accepted Christ as my Savior. He picks me up when I fall down. He directs my path. He pulls me back to God when I choose to stray. He inspires my joy. He works toward the assurance I have in my final, good reward! I also believe in the Three-in-One; God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Actually verse 12 goes on to say, “and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” 

Remember Him

   How many times during the day do we really remember God? How often during the day do we take the time to talk with Him?  How often during the day do we really direct our attention toward God?   

   Remember Him

Remember Him before the dawn;
  before the light of sun,
  in the moments before they're gone.
Remember Him before the chirping of flighty birds;
  before the sounds of stirring;
  before the framing of unforgiving words.
Remember Him before noon-day's ray;
  before the heat of blazing sun;
  throughout the chores of day.
Remember Him before heaven's stars twinkle bright;
  before the moon brightens the dark; 
  whereby, seeking strength through restful night.
Remember Him before the grave;
  before the life turns to dust and ash;
  ever seeking the love Christ gave,
  the mortal soul to save. 
                    Mary Crisp Jameson

Ecclesiastes 12:1a "Remember now thy Creator..."

A Fool's Gold

     When Paul was in prison he reminded the people about contentment and where that contentment can be found when he wrote in Philippians 4:12-13 (TLB)   “ I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation, whether it be a full stomach or hunger, plenty or want; for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.”  Paul is telling us that God is with us and we should praise Him in all situations.  It is with God we can find contentment. 
     In Ecclesiastes, Solomon talks about vanity and questions what he gets for hard work, education, wisdom, having beautiful women, drink, merriment, and obtaining satisfaction.  He says it is like “chasing the wind” but then, in the end,  he realizes that “pleasure is from the hand of God; For who can eat or enjoy apart from him?”

         A Fool’s Gold

I’ve sought riches untold,
But it’s left me feeling cold.
No matter my lot,
No matter whatevr’ I’ve bought,
Constantly on the go,
I’ve found my desires continue to grow.

I’ve sought a fool’s gold

From youth to growing old. 
All my possessions; all the clothes-
Nothing given or that I’ve chose
Fills my hunger,
The desires, or makes me feel younger.
“This house that I own-
It’s not a mansion,” I moun.
There is never enough
Of all this earthy stuff.

The more that I gain, the more I lack;

It’s knocked me off-track.
There’s a lesson here:
For in a blink, it can all disappear.
Wherein then, can I be content?
What has it all meant?

I sought wealth and a high-paying job;

No care for the joy I’d rob.
First on my list was fortune and fame;
No one but myself to blame.
Next came status and all I could claim,
But not a thought from whom it all came!
I’m left spiritually poor
In all my grandeur!

What cannot  be stolen or lost?

What comes with no extra cost?
It’s something I’ve overlooked and missed;
A treasure not on my list!

No matter my lot,

Contentment was what I’d forgot.   
Whether big or small,
God gave me it all.
He is the One who should have been first;
The center of my hunger and thirst.
That’s where my mansion will be-
The pearls, silver, and gold; I can hardly wait to see!
My biggest treasure-
My greatest joy and pleasure
Should have been my God I sought,
Not all the things that I bought.
                        Mary Crisp Jameson – 8/10/2014