May 24, 2012

With every season there is change, so life goes.  I love spring time and it's just too short.  I grew up in upper state New York where the spring and fall seasons were so beautiful.  As I got older we moved all over the United States and in my early teens, we landed in Kansas.  That's where I found my husband and now it's my home.  But,  I miss the seasons changing slowly.  In Kansas, you can go from 60 to 90 in a day.  The only season we truly see for a long time is summer and if you watch the weather channel, we get so hot here, you can't even go outside.

Often, I wonder why God created the seasons.  Maybe, He was telling us something about His plan for the world.  Spring is when the animals mate and have babies.  Fall is when the children play in the leaves.  Summer is for fun, swimming and outside activities and winter is for the family.  With every season comes newness and challenges.  Spring brings tornadoes and earthquakes, summer brings unbearable temperatures and droughts, winter brings on huge snow falls and avalanches and fall brings on changes in weather patterns throughout the world.

We have numerous changes going on all around us, so why does it surprise us when life changes?  God made us for change and asked us to change with each season.  We are to grow and bear fruit.  He will prune us and make us new and as we face the challenges of life; we will reap fruit.

That's why we should spend time understanding the power of change, not just in the weather but in life.  I could poll ten people right now and they would be facing different circumstances, some more severe than others, but nevertheless, they would be facing something.  I think we should remind ourselves that seasons do change, years change and centuries change.  There is change all around us and if you're in a tumultuous season, spring may be coming.

During change, we must grab onto two things, Jesus is with us and prayer.  Those two things can get us through the worst seasons of life.  We might not like this season but there's another on the horizon.  We have to capture our thoughts and know God is near.  There is fear in the unknown but He has promised us that He is always near.

Look around you today and count the blessings you have.  In every season, you can and will find a blessing.  You may have to look harder then some, but it's there.  I call them my rainbows.  Without them, I would be a basket case.  God showed me along time ago that a rainbow can get you through the roughest of winters, the hottest of summers, the rainiest springs and the darkest fall.  I encourage you to embark on a faith journey, no matter what season you're in.  Find Jesus.  He will lead you and give you courage to face each season with courage, dignity and faith.  I'm not saying we won't have moments of defeat, that happens to every one.  I am saying that Christ can help us wherever we are.  He forgives our weaknesses and gives us courage when we ask.  We are human and He knows it!

Don't get down this season.  Find your rainbow, walk with Christ, read Scripture and pray.  He gave us the tools to be successful, use them.  And if you're friends with someone going through a difficult season, please don't leave them or criticize them.  They need you so much.  Many people walk away from Christ because the people they believe are their friends, leave them.  Let's be women that are solid in the word and in the heart.  We need to stand up for those that can't and be there.  We are being counted, let's be used by God for His purpose, not our own!

John 15: 1-2 NKJV:

     I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1 NIV:

    There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:


We don't have to dread the seasons of life, as long as, we love Jesus Christ!  Let's be women that challenge ourselves and bear fruit.  The generations are watching us, so let's work towards each season with grace, love, compassion, courage, and wonder.  He knows what He's doing, even if we don't!

My prayer today:

Holy Father, lover of our souls, please lift us up in our hour of need.  Help us through the seasons of life and give us joy in every season.  We want to be women that come before You, day and night, worshipping You and believing that You are near in every season.  Help us to find the blessings You have brought to our lives and provide friendships that will last the test of each season.  We need You to be in the middle of our lives, guiding us and loving us through.  We ask that You would teach us in each season to be faithful servants of You and to believe that You are near.  We place our fear into Your hands and ask for Peace instead.  Light our way, O Lord, and guide our feet around each corner, in each country and through each season.  We bow to You our King!  In Jesus name, AMEN

Until tomorrow...