This poetic stream of conciousness (or so it seems to me) about life, and trying to see into the rhythm and heart of God, continues in a slightly less doomsaying way.

It talks about wisdom, and ponders the question of why the wise and the fool get the same deal out of life – in fact sometimes the fool does better. It also talks about what is the best way to spend the years you are given.

Of course the wise Preacher commends wisdom – but can’t give a concrete reason why. Instead he concludes:

“So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.

“When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night, then I saw all the work of God, that a man cannot find out hte work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.”

There is lots of other wisdom in these chapters, about how not to ache after riches but be happy as you are: “Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire.”

Dear God, Thank You for the great news You have given us today about P. Please help him continue to strengthen and heal. Thank You for my peaceful day. Thank You for H, please be with her and build her heart and show her Your love. Please help me teach my children well. Thank You for my marriage, please continue to grow it. Thank You for our mothers, please help us to be patient and loving and giving with them, In Jesus’ name, Amen