"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live." Ecc 3:1-12
Some days are roller coasters of a day, aren't they?! I try really hard to stay in the moment and not dwell, but sometimes it gets the best of me, hence, the struggle with worry and anxiety. I have people in my life that if one thing goes wrong, the rest of the day is ruined. For me, I am pretty level-headed, I think. I am patient, have to be as a Mom of 4!!, so I don't flip from one extreme to another. I say each day is a blessing, a gift and when something bad comes along, I address it (most of the time) and work with it...other times, it is put under one of the Not-dealing-with-this-right-now-Rugs. And we move on.
Recently, my heart has been grieving over many different things in my life-in the life of those around me, along with all the evil in our world! I was heart broken last night to listen to some of the testimonies from the Youth Mission trip my son just returned home from...we have no idea what some children have to deal with on a daily basis. Can they comprehend that God loves and cares for them and will never leave them, all the while being beaten and abused in their own home!!! It would have to be a miracle movement of God, such a clear evidence that God is there for them to believe it. That is so sad.
Our homes are supposed to be a place of refuge from the world and yet so many children live in homes that often host the evils of our world...Jesus please rescue them, show Yourself in mighty and clear ways in these broken and abused hearts. Through each one may a new legacy begin in Love's name.
My toddler, the baby, was diagnosed with Periodic Fever Syndrome and it is like getting the flu for 5 days each month. It is hard on his little joyful body and on me. This past month, actually last week, I was thrilled to hear him say "My knee hurts." and then later saying, "I swallowed my tooth." I was thrilled because these are issues during the episode but he wasn't suffering with a fever that day! I rejoiced with gladness that God had heard our prayers and answered them, healing had come...only to be awakened at 4am with a very sick baby. Needless to say, I was not happy. My bubble burst. My joy was zapped. I cried out to God, "WHY? What happened?" My once compassionate and patient spirit became angry and exasperated. Again God? I want a miracle.
I have several friends dealing with health and cancer issues-what's there to like about that?! Some of the sweetest people I know are suffering. Why? It hurts me to feel and know their pain and yet, you can still see God moving through them in beautiful ways. Romans 8:28-to Him be the glory....even in this.
I could go on and on on all the tragedy and evil...
There are countless blessings in my life, and in those around me to make us all jump for joy all day long. God's grace and movement is everywhere if we look. He leaves His fingerprints all around us for us to discover as we journey on through our life with Him.The beauty of His creation alone amazes me! The diversity of the animals, the landscapes, human life, the twinkling stars...everywhere, He gives us things that amaze us.
With the amount of good things in my life, I could rejoice all day long and never see or meet a need. Same thing can be said about the bad things in my life, I could fuss and complain and stew all day long and never see or be a blessing.
To everything, there is a season. He makes everything beautiful. If this is true, then despite my circumstances, I can rejoice in a moment of good news or mourn in a moment of bad news. I may even be talented enough to cry in grief and joy at the same time!!!
I may be struggling and have a bad day only to be met with a blessing. It doesn't remove my struggle, but for a moment, I can smile and feel relief from the storm upon me. The storm may even seem smaller.
I may be dancing and singing, on a mountaintop high with the Lord and become aware of a desperate need, and mourn for the moment, petition the Lord with all heart and soul, broken hearted over the situation, and yet continue on in my day with a glad and cheerful heart with a remembrance.
God is working on me, He is pruning once again. It is painful. I have become quite good at masking emotions and I have a feeling God is calling me out on it and I so do not want to go there, so I think He is allowing me to get mad and feel mad and learn to become okay with being mad. I do not want to be mad. I want to be happy and joyful, patient and loving with no anger or bitterness. I do not like Green Eggs and Ham~ Sam I am! (heehee)
There is something to be said about staying in the moment, feeling what you feel when you feel it and yet not being consumed by it, blocking out everything else. I understand some things are overwhelming and it may be something we have to deal with for a longer season (like my toddler's disease, or these abused children or someone who may be suffering from an illness) but in the midst of every circumstance, every storm, every blessing stands a Mighty and Loving God and Father who is our strength and peace. It is His steady hand that we can stretch out. His grace will meet our every need, great or small, it is sufficient for a moment or the duration longer than we expected.
There is a time to weep and a time to dance. It may be on the same day, or it just might be a season apart. But in the midst, each day is full of mercy and grace, compassion, forgiveness and love. Count your blessings every day! You may not be happy, but don't let Satan steal your joy, trust and your peace. Guard it.
Do not let pride get in the way of asking for another to come alongside you to encourage you when you are having "one of those days." Perspective helps and Prayer heals. Maybe you are too consumed by your circumstances to see the rainbow in your cloud...ask God to send you a friend with good news. Or maybe you need help and guidance dealing with a tough issue...ask God to send you someone with the gift of counsel and wisdom.
Whatever "it" is...God makes everything beautiful in HIS time. You are are a light in the darkness. You may be struck down but not destroyed!!!! I pray that our spirits remain trusting, joyful, calm, peaceful and satisfied. May our hearts feel all that He has created us to feel and may God bless hearts and minds, rescuing us from the pit of despair, placing us at His throne of Grace to see His glory shining through!
Be joyful always, giving thanks in ALL circumstances. I Thess 5:16-18
We are For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed.
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that His life may be revealed in our mortal body. II Cor 4: 6-11
In all things...to HIM be the Glory! AMEN!
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