Seasons

"To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven..." ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1 (BSB)

Perhaps it's strange at the end of January, while we're yearning for spring, to see images of autumn.

Actually, I LOVE winter, but most of my friends are sick of the snow, so I assume that's the prevailing opinion.

But, I chose her to illustrate a point.

I was speaking with a friend recently, and it seems there may just be a mighty storm a brewin'...

Only time will tell.

But, in any storm, desert, draught, or otherwise uncomfortable season of life, our command is clear.

Fear not.

Do not worry.

Be not afraid.

He will make a way where there is no way. He will make streams in the desert.

His eye is on the sparrow, friend.

He is watching over you.

Back to the autumnal image... autumn is also right up there, tied as my favorite season.

In the fall, when the tree loses her leaves, does she worry herself sick? Fit to be tied? Is she afraid it's the end?

It's part of her lifecycle, it's the season she is in. She has preparations to make for new growth in the spring.

Just as is so in our lives, friends. We grow, we shed leaves, we wonder if all is lost, we grow more, we blossom into the most glorious presentation of self, we ease into a beautiful season, and we travel the cycle again... and again... and again... and again.

And, our loving Creator prunes us back in good season, in good time, so that we might have that future only He knows that is exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond.

But, we have to let Him, we must co-labor with Him.

We must be patient.

We must trust.

We must have faith.

As many of you know, I've been through a doozy of a desert season, and it's not over. Looking out over the horizon, just as I thought it was time for a shift for me, it seems there may just be a shift coming for us all.

As the voice of experience, I pray...

Fear not.

Do not worry.

Be not afraid.

He is there, He has you in the palm of His almighty hand. If ever, whenever we need Him, if we'll only reach out, He is there... ready... waiting... and fully able.

Abba Father, I pray for the person reading this now. If they're reading it, I have faith they've found it in just the right moment. I pray Your strength, grace, provision, peace, and comfort over them. I pray you show them Your presence and Your love for them, daily. Thank You, for being such a sweet sweet Father, for guarding and guiding and protecting us. Thank You, for growing our faith and helping us to be the children You created us to be. Amen.

"'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 'And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ... your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.'" ~ Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)

"He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers." ~ Psalm 1:3 (NASB)

"But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made... 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord replied, 'you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.'" ~ Luke 10:40-42 (BSB)

May we always know where our focus should be. May we ever remember to keep our eyes upon Him. May the Good Lord bless you and keep you, friends... always, in all ways. Amen.

Bonus song of praise... ♥