What Season Are You In?

I have seen that things in life are so changing, that we don't often get to dwell in a place of safety and security for very long. This is especially true in the Christian walk. Many times we find ourselves in a season. I've had many seasons. Here's just a few to explain what I mean:

A season where I had to work while trying to homeschool 3 kids - but that season ended, twice, by the place having to close down and by us moving away.

A season where we lost our home, had to move in with my in-laws, without much hope of things getting better, and bearing the guilt of being a burden to others - that season ended when God rearranged everything in our world and lined up a chain of events to help us move, find a new career, and a home greater than we could've afforded.

A season of struggles with our teenagers, all 3 of them at different times - but this too made its way around the circle as each grew in maturity, responsibility, and each developed a new outlook.

A season of strengthening our marriage, including a church gift of sending us to a marriage retreat at precisely the right time to change our direction.

A season of being in the exact center of God's will, where everything came together to bring Him glory, and every thing I did brought me joy and peace, while serving others to fill their needs.

So as you can see, bad or good, we live in seasons when we follow God. What season are you in? Is it one of struggles? One of peace? One of sadness? One of incredible blessings flowing? One of fear? One of overcoming and achieving your goals? One of rest from the storms of life? One of a new adventure and you're not quite sure how it'll turn out yet? Whatever your season, embrace it. Know that God has a plan and a purpose for you. Trust that He hasn't forgotten about you, and He's preparing the way ahead for you. Find contentment in the small blessings you're receiving day to day. Take on that spirit of thankfulness. Appreciate what you have rather than be let down over what you wish you were handed in life. Once you can determine the season you're in, make peace with it. Either enjoy the ride - or else, know that this too shall pass - and then you'll enter a new season that can be even better.

May you be blessed with protection, joy, comfort, provision, better health, and love. Have a great week, Dear One.

Appreciating the Little Things

Every so often, life fades into the background just long enough for me to see what's going on in and around me. Today, I'm in a place of appreciation and thankfulness. I know, many times we read something like that and think, "What do I have to be thankful for? If you only knew what I was going through." Let me tell you some of the things I can appreciate and see if any are things you too can be thankful for.

1. I have a lot of friends dealing with cancer right now. Who doesn't, these days, right? I'm thankful that they have the gift of knowing every day counts, and they often use them to grow their relationships with those closest to them. I can appreciate the struggles I haven't had to endure so far. If your one of those people struggling with cancer yourself, hear me when I say I'm so sorry this has happened to you. It isn't fair. I pray for your healing and if that doesn't happen, I pray you have time to be a blessing and receive blessings from relationships that matter most to you. If you're standing by having to watch someone go through it wishing you could take it from them instead, you're a wonderful part of their world that can make things easier on them just knowing how much you care. I don't know what my future holds, but I appreciate every day I have to connect with people. Life is short, make the very best of what you've got.

2. I also have lots of friends who've recently lost family members. Some to old age, some to sickness, some to unexpected accidents. My heart is heavy for them. I can't fix the world, I can't undo the harshness of this life, but I'm thankful for both what I've been spared so far, and also for what I can do to be there for those friends. What about you? Is there someone around you that needs a hug? That's lonely? That could use some help running errands or helping out with kids? Can you prepare some meals to make their life a little easier? What can be done to ease the suffering just a bit? I appreciate being able to bring a little light into someone's dark world. If you're the one who's recently lost someone, again, I'm so sorry for your loss. Let people know how they can help. Let them. Not only will it be a blessing to you, but it'll bless them by allowing this chance to serve you. We weren't made to suffer alone.

3. So many divorces today. I'd love to say that Christians don't have to worry about that, but sadly, the statistics show that people who claim to follow the Bible's teachings aren't significantly lower than those who live life as their own god. It happens to people every day. My own marriage hasn't always been perfect, but it has been worth it. I didn't give up when I thought I would. I didn't quit when it seemed easier to do that. Instead, I've been blessed with a God, friends, and family that have surrounded me when I needed it, even though many of them didn't know it. I appreciate that God always seems to arrange things to grow my marriage and closeness with my spouse. Is he trying to reach out to you? Or someone you love? Is he trying to bring a season of reconciliation? If so, trust him to carry you through the tough storms. You're not alone.

4. On a lighter note, there's many less-serious things on my mind that I'm also thankful for - things I appreciate in my life. Do any of these sound familiar?

I made it through another day. I have a place to sleep indoors. I ate today, more than once. I have a choice of what to wear today because I have the privilege of owning more than one outfit. I have great kids that aren't perfect, but they're great kids. I paid the bills on time. This wasn't always possible - but it was this time. I have a car that runs so I'm not having to walk, or take buses and cabs everywhere. I have family that loves and supports me. I have friends that are always there for me and I can be there for them. I have a great home church and even a great home-away-from-home church with wonderful friends that have been closer than family at times. I have two arms, two legs, a working mind, I can breathe on my own, I can see all God's creation around me, I can hear the voices of those I love - or a great piece of music, I have at least one person in my world that cares for me, and even if I lost all of that - I have a loving God, who sent His Son to save me for all eternity. One who loves me in spite of my failures. A loving Father who's always there for me, waiting to spend time with me, anxious to love me unconditionally - and so do you. For that, if that was ALL I had, I'm truly appreciative and thankful.

What do you have to be thankful for today?