EMBRACING THE SEASONS
You smell it coming. Like the shift after rainy season when tulips and sassafras begin budding through tendrils of green shoots and dormant shrubs, promoting life after the rough storm.
You hear it churning. Like the change of tides in the oceans currents bringing cooler waters to once pleasant temperatures requiring certain precautions set in order to prevent the inevitable chill.
You see it adjusting. Like the newly marked three-legged dog on a walk with its owner, skipping to a new beat and rhythm in a manner where you sense its joyful spirit regardless of its inability to sprint like before.
There are various changes in life. Some promote positive relief from the storm. Some require buckling down, taking precautions from forewarned hardships to come. Some require finding a new beat and rhythm all together after an unfortunate misfortune takes place.
This is the manner in which, I’ve found, life takes place.
I think God was preparing my heart and soul for these types of shifts and changes presently in my life or perceived to occur in the future. It is why He brought me to this 4-week long stay-cation with my husband at a beach house no more than 50 minutes from our home. A beach house we are delighted to call home for the next month.
Some of these changes currently in our life are exciting changes, stimulating passions and pursuits worth running towards. Some require buckling down the hatches due to the shifting tide, making us prepare for changes regarding our family structure which will inevitably take place. One thing in particular feels like the severing of a leg—a cherished person turned friendship turned little-sister-I’ve-always-wanted-but-never-had, leaving our family and retiring her position with us for completely logical and inevitable reasons, leaving us heavy-hearted on all fronts.
ADDING IN FAITH
In these moments, sometimes my trust in God begins to waiver—my faith is definitely being tested.
Do I trust that the outcome, whatever it may be, is for good?
Perhaps not in the ways I see or define “good” but trusting that God see’s the whole picture, has an aerial view of my life, and knows what’s best for me—not merely for my own physical comfort, but to encourage deeper spiritual growth.
Perhaps this is a way to build my faith muscles further, trust in Him a bit deeper, and embrace the journey of living a life not about what I can get out of it, but instead living a life asking myself how I can be of service to Him more through my circumstances—whatever they may be.
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:8)
It’s hard sometimes to see the severing of something good be a good thing—like a leg helping one to run and jump and move in ways differently than a person without a leg would. Or perhaps the severing of a leg or an arm is not necessarily a good thing, yet good things can still come from it regardless of the dismal act. This is the way I see a certain changes taking place in my life–a severing of something good, but trusting that God will still bring good things in its place.
“’For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)
I am in a season of discovering the changes God has taking place in my life. He has brought me to a beautiful place, yes even physically here at this beachy location, but also emotionally and spiritually to a place where I feel steadier to embrace the changes going on around me. He helps me trust that many good things are still in store.
I am accepting this season of change, and preparing for the forewarned fluctuations to come with my face up-turned toward the One who strengthens, eye’s closed in faithful reverence to Him, enjoying the warm presence of the perfect Son encircling my embrace.
