Blue Skies, lightly budding flowers, and hints of warm sunny weather. Ahhhhh, spring is on its way.
We’ve set our clocks forward – more sunlight – more time to garden – leaves on the trees – oh I’ve missed it so! It’s a season I’ve been longing for, and it is almost in full bloom. Winter became like an odor in my car I couldn’t get rid off. Somewhere around November 1st, the days became a dread, like a colonoscopy or final exam. Whether it was the bare trees or bitter temperatures, this wintry season has been a chore for me. I’m beginning to believe 72 and sunny, fruit on the trees, flowers blooming, and birds chirping is the ultimate for me – if only it could just hold there.
Like yearly seasons, life cannot hold there either. We are not always successful or fruitful. There are times of barrenness. There are times when no fruit is growing and all the trees need pruning. There are times we must go through the pruning ourselves. Times that are never easy.
I have a friend who is going through a tough divorce, another whose getting married. Another whose having to downsize and move in with her son, another who is grieving the loss of a daughter. Others in my life are in phases of life from raising elementary aged children, to having babies, to sending kids off to college, to changing careers, to going back to school, to dealing with health issues, to you name it! And not one of them have the same walk as any one else.
I marvel at the wisdom of God. For every one of my friends’ needs, I’ve in some way experienced some part of it. While I enjoyed some of the seasons and dreaded the other, I can say with full confidence, God was with me through every part of it, and He will be with you too.
The difficult seasons, while rough, make us who we are if we lean in and push forward. I remember the day I stood in the Courthouse square, minutes after my divorce, and proclaimed, “I’ll never do that again! Marriage is not for me…” Several years later, I can’t imagine not being married a second time around to a wonderful Godly man.
There was a time in my life when tragedy hit so hard I thought I’d never catch my breath. I thought surely this was the end of everything I knew. Several years later, I cannot imagine having missed the precious years I’ve had; the blessings of God; the moments with my sweet children and grandchildren; and the fresh, clear breaths God has given me.
My husband and I were laughing recently about a statement I made years ago. I told someone that nothing would ever be the same; and while technically, I was right, I didn’t realize that although it may not be the same, it has great potential to be so much better once the pruning is over, the storms settle down, and the gut wrenching difficulties resolve.
The sun does come out tomorrow as long as you lean in and press on through today.
God turns all that is meant to harm to good for those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)
