Changing from Summer, Autumn, Winter then Spring, with beautiful visual transitions and relief from extreme temperatures, is not always welcomed by everyone. Unfortunately, many associate those times with allergies or bouts with “seasonal depression”.
Truly, today is yet another one we have been given to live! Regardless of how gloomy things may look outside, let’s give praise for what is inside our hearts, Jesus Christ! This IS the day the Lord has made! Let’s join together and rejoice in it!
Psalms 118:24
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
My friends currently have custody of their grandchild. I will not take liberties with the details, but I do know that at our age, to assume that responsibility must take extreme patience and understanding.I pray the child will grow up understanding the Lord’s love and provision, through the grandparents.
I am so amazed and inspired by the selflessness she and her husband are showing to this child. Parenthood takes a tremendous adjustment anyway, so to face such at this point, must call for a substantial re-structuring, spiritually, emotionally, physically and on every possible level.
They are setting aside their own lives, a time when couples are typically alone, enjoying time to get reacquainted and rekindle, to care for this youngster who just needs to be loved.
As above, discussing the seasons of the year, bringing forth both delight and discomfort, so it can be with the seasons of our lives. You know how it is when we put away our summer clothes and face a warm day or in the spring when we decide that we finally can go out with no “layering”, only to find ourselves chilly?
Possibly our friends feel this way at times with their new appointment. She and her husband are having to “dig out” their momma and papa hats once again! It is remarkable to see this kind couple, embracing this change with such a precious, godly attitude. What a true testimony their lives are. Kudos to both of them for their obedience, laying aside their lives and serving the Lord through caring for this child.
Praise God for their willingness to adapt to God’s plan and yield to His Will rather than their own. Please pray for each one of them. I know God will give them grace and strength for the days and years ahead. May they be blessed and their grandchild profoundly impacted by a grandfather and grandmother who embraced the opportunity to open up their hearts and offer a godly, loving home.
This “out of season” situation has been brought to you by the Lord, Who is able to make all things beautiful!
prayer
Merciful Father
Thank You for Fall, Winter, Summer and Spring
For the beauty You have adorned the earth with in each
We also thank You for the seasons in our lives
For childhood
Time as a young adult
Maturing into a grown up
Then our twilight years
We have certain expectations for each season, Father
Just as we believe it will be warm because it is a summer day
We may have set in our mind, thoughts of what it will be like at a particular time in our life
When things work out differently, perhaps we are dismayed or disappointed, frustrated
Especially when we look around and see others our age, enjoying what we anticipated
Holy God
You set the paths for us
Specifically allowing things in our lives to transform us into who we need to be
Because You love us, You don’t give what we believe is best
But what You KNOW is
Lord, if it needs to snow in our summer
Please give us an attitude of appreciation and acceptance for whatever You bring
Let us know that it is for our good and Your glory
Please be with those who are where they expected to be now, keeping hearts prepared for a change
Also with the others who are enduring, giving hearts rest and comfort knowing that You are with them
And Your result will make trials worthwhile.
In the Name of Jesus Christ
Amen
Songs
Give Me Jesus
For The Beauty Of The Earth
For Such A Time As This
Credits: God the Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Scripture
encouraging words from family and friends
Janet and Don
google, youtube, biblehub,biblegateway