2003March Just as seasons change in nature, they change in our lives. They are for a purpose to help mold us into a person able to reach others that need to know that God can and does meet us in our place of need.
"Be Simply Women"
The seasons are changing again. The deep snow that we had in this area of Pennsylvania is almost gone now and I'm finding some green in my flowerbeds. Soon I'll be able to see my lawn again and then the daffodils will begin to peak out from their winter hiding place. The houseplants are starting to take off again and I saw an Opossum this week.
The Scripture says that to everything there is a season, a time and a purpose. For some that's easy to accept, but for others it's very difficult. Hard things have happened in the lives of some that will read this and your hearts are asking, why? Why did it have to be me, my child, my spouse, or my parent? Why did I lose my job? Why did my marriage fall apart?
I've spoken to people who truly believe that God is angry with them and causes the difficult situations in their lives to punish them.
I've had some difficult things happen in my life, but God loves me and he loves you. He didn't cause those things to happen to me, he may have allowed them to happen to get my attention, but punishing me was never his goal or desire. Who do you think held me up during those times? Times when I hurt so bad and was so numb that I couldn't feel of human arms that tried to comfort and reassure me. If you've ever been that hurt and numb then you know what I mean.
While one persons world seems to be falling apart, another finds their world being blessed beyond comprehension.
When the dark things are happening to us we are not alone. God is watching over us and is lovingly guiding and directing us. He places a desire in our hearts to be with his children because he knows how much we need that human touch, that human encouragement. Sometimes that encouragement seems to fall very short of helping us to maintain our sanity when our corner of the world is crazy. God is the glue that will hold each of us so that we don't fall apart. We have to reach out to him. When we want to do it ourselves, when we think we HAVE to do it ourselves-he just might permit us to do so; but ultimately we will find that we can't do it ourselves. That's when we come to the end of self and we say, Lord I need you - I can't do this, I can't take this any longer.
The nightmare may not end at that moment, but the stress of having to do it all on your own will be gone. There will be some peace. I know, because I've lived through a terrifying situation day after day until I could take no more. In his time he brought an end to the situation but knowing that he would make a way out for me brought some peace. When your life is filled with stress and terror / well, some peace is a lot.
When I spoke to you of having fun and ways to have fun incase you'd forgotten...I've walked that road. I had to learn to have fun and seek out ways to have fun. I was one that giggles and laughed all the time but, I had to learn to laugh again which wasn't easy because absolutely nothing was funny. The world isn't always a big beautiful place but the sun does come up every morning and set every evening even if the clouds hide the vision. God has ordained it to be so.
FUN...When was the last time you had fun? Here are a few suggestions, incase you could use one or two...
Enjoy the change in seasons; the crispness of the morning; the yellow green of spring plants; the fragrance of rain; the gentleness of a snowflake; the sound of a gaggle of geese moving through.
You are a gift from God. Life is a gift from God. Learn to appreciate yourself and the life that he has so graciously given you.
Learn that your life's experiences have molded and shaped you and allow God to show you what he has prepared you to do for him and for his Children.
We all have different abilities. What touches my heart and mind may not touch yours in the same way.
It takes all of us reaching out and loving. God will use those who allow him to use them. He can do more through 20 than 1, but if there is only 1 then God will use that 1 mightily.
March is the beginning of Lent. Preparation for the rememberance and celebration of Christ's passion for God's Children, his sacrifice to the point of death for them and the marvelous miracle of his resurrection.
What more could he do for mankind to tell them how much they are loved?
What more could he do to prove to YOU how very much you are loved?
For those of you whose lives have been blessed in a way that you've not needed to walk this road, please pray for strength, comfort and courage for those who are walking this road.
Remember to thank God for the road that you are walking.
Ask him what he wishes you to do for him and for his children.
There is a reason that you are each walking the road that you are on.
Kathy
D.
