Seasons Past

Seasons, Courtesy Google Images

Memories. Words exchanged. Affections shared.

I couldn’t get them out of my heart if I wanted to. And I didn’t. Want to, that is.

But I knew it was time. Words from years ago fluttered into my thoughts. “Seasons come. Seasons go. New memories will form as you allow the old and dear to make room.”

I looked over and could see the row of faces I’d grown to love over the years. I didn’t want to let go. Change was as uncomfortable—to me—as hugging a porcupine; so, I avoided it as much as possible.

This time, though, I realized I couldn’t put it off any longer. Each face I saw, I embroidered into the fabric of my memory, hoping it wouldn’t fray in the years to come. I prayed for each one as I recalled how they’d grown into specific places of my heart. The temptation to reach back into the past and hold tightly to what was proved to be a force that slowed my forward pace. As uncomfortable as any change was, relinquishing my grip on history was harder still.

Then reminded of Paul’s exhortation that we forget “those things which are behind and reach(ing) forward to those things which are ahead …” (Philippian 3:13), and Isaiah’s words not to “remember the former things, nor consider the things of old” (Isaiah 43:18), which I believe he said because of the propensity of people to hold on when they should let go. I know I am like that, and I risk missing out on the promise from God that followed, “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth … I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert …” (Isaiah 43:19)

If I could, I’d take a snapshot of each memory and place it in a scrapbook with the story of our time together, like the canoe trip down the Au Sable River that damp, gray October day, while Mom watched the babies. We couldn’t keep the boat upright. We carried it down the river more than floated in it. I don’t think we got rid of the chill in our bones for weeks after that. Tahquamenon Falls was gorgeous, but the days leading to our visit would always serve as a reminder that God cares about the details.

We’d saved the entire year for our 21-day excursion around the Great Lakes. That summer, news flashed daily about wildfires in Newberry, Michigan. Plenty of lightning and too little rain kept this one smoldering. Before going, I’d prayed, asking God to send rain. Once we finished setting up camp at Tahquamenon Falls River Mouth, I heard the challenge in the back of my mind: “Are you going to ask for rain and remain uncovered?” –We’d left the fly off the tent so we could see the stars. That night—or I should say early morning—I was awakened by a clap of thunder, followed by heavy rain. The sun shone during the day, and it rained at night, during our entire 7-day stay.

I paused right there as I realized that if I wanted to see the Lord continue to show His strength, if I wanted to hold onto His gifts for tomorrow, if I was eager to walk into the “promised land” He’d set before me, I must relinquish my grip on what once was.

The season has passed. A new season has begun, and I (we) are invited to take joy in its beauty.

Adapted from Season's Passed, (2019)

Until next time, walk in the light of His love and grace. 

💜 Karlene J 💜

We May Never Know

Reflections.

I love the way water can reflect whatever is beside or above it. When calm, the images the waters reflect seem to go as deep as they are tall. It's God's mirror, giving us the ability to examine the sky and trace its path across the tops of trees.

Amazing!

I could sit for hours and lose myself in the images, experience the cool breeze, and the fragrance of the landscape that surrounds me. 

But what do we do with the reflection when the water is murky or cloudy? The images are distorted and unclear. I know I want to sit far from it to avoid any accidental swimming excursions.

I don't know about you, but as the years pass and the evidence of life lived becomes more apparent in the aches and slowing of pace (or is it the racing of time?), I find myself reflecting.

Some moments are crystal clear, lending to a sigh of wonder and nostalgia. Others, however, are laden with regret and varied levels of shame.

There's nothing we can do to reverse time and correct course, but there is redemption. 

Looking back over the years, I find myself wondering what will be said of me when I stand before the Lord.

I know that we all want to hear, "Well done," don't we?

But in this life, we inevitably face reflections in our mirror that breathe shame and regret. The voices of our past are full of accusation and unforgiveness, reminding us of our worth--or lack. We turn from the images and face the sun, determined to take steps into the light where our darkened souls can find life. 

And we find rest in the grace and mercy of our Lord. 

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV).

It is a beautiful thing to find that rest. Sabbath. Jesus.

It is healing.

Refreshing.

Then the onslaught comes. It feels more like a whirlwind and a hurricane combined with an earthquake. We cling to anything bolted down, but understanding that the floor holding that item may give way at any moment.

And this is where we find Job. 

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1 NKJV).

He feared God. So much so that whenever his children held feasts at their homes, he would go sacrifice on their behalf because "it may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts" (Job 1:5). He wanted to make sure his children were prayed for, sins covered by blood sacrifice, and cleared of guilt ... just in case.

What Job hadn't anticipated, nor could he have, was a plot to destroy his character before God. Satan joined the sons of God when they came to present themselves before the LORD. He wanted to prove to God that this righteous man would curse Him to His face. So God allowed Satan to launch an attack on Job. First, his family and possessions. Then his health. The only stipulation: "do not lay a hand on his person" (v12).

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?"

So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."

Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?

So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!"

And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person."

So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face! 

And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold he is in your hand, but spare his life."

So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

(Job 1:6-11, 4-7)

From chapter 1 through 42, this man did not curse God. He cursed his own existence. He confessed that God was allowing this, though he had no idea why. Yet through it all, he acknowledged God's greatness, power, and ability to do whatever He wanted. Nothing could stop Him.

And in the end, he heard God's response to his complaints, and his perspective changed.

While he said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him" (Job 13:15), he later confessed, "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6).

And it is from this perspective that I wish to encourage us all.

Whatever it is that troubles our minds and tries to keep. us awake at night, we can be sure of a few things:

1. We might never know the battle being waged in the heavenly realm. 

2. Our Father God will never abandon us or allow Satan to destroy us.

3. At the end of the day (whether on earth or in glory) we will be restored to conditions better than before.

4. Even if He doesn't. He is still good. He is still God. He is still worthy of our whole being.

Until next time, let His glory shine in your hearts!  💜 Karlene J 💜