SEASONS


spring.jpg

I've been learning about seasons lately. As you know, I've started my half marathon training. It's been a little bit crazy. On Sunday I did 17.7 km in the icy rain (yeah, not ideal…spring come soon!) The good thing about the training is it gives me a lot of time to listen, think and talk to Jesus. Recently I've been working through some of Steven Furtick's sermons. Last December he did a miniseries on seasons. Wow, just wow, has God been doing a number on my heart through those messages.

 Let's just get this out there…this winter season has felt very loooooong. As I've said it many times before, fall is my favourite. But (along with most of the population) I do love summer too, and spring is great with all those beautiful cherry blossoms. But winter….well, winter is dark and cold and looong. Is anyone with me on this?

Personally, the past three months have been pretty right on par with the weather. Let's just say it's been a very emotionally draining time with a lot of tears, fears and angry runs and showers (please tell me I'm not the only one who hashes the hard things out with God in the shower?) It's been yucky and at times I've been tempted to make my heart as frozen as that icy rain that beats angrily against my window.

God's been teaching me though. I've been learning that I can't choose my circumstances, but I can choose my response. I can choose to be frozen, numb and bitter OR I can choose to cling to Jesus and trust that spring is just around the corner. I can choose to trust that God is doing something in me through this season, that He knows what's up and He is producing something in me that will blossom in its time. I will dare to hope. I will declare over my life that God is faithful. 

And he has been faithful. He's sent me prayer warrior mamas who pray for me. He's sent me angels who've given me mani & pedi gifts. He's sent me friends who encourage, who give me beautiful frames with God's truth in it. He's sent me people who listen. He's sent me the Holy Spirit to fill me up and move through me when I couldn't even fathom being used by him.

So I will remain in him and set my sights on the sun and trust that hope is rising. I will have spring again.

 

Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,

At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,

When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death

And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.

- C.S. Lewis (The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe)

 

So I write this post not to depress you but to encourage you that even though you can't choose your circumstances, you can choose your response. God is with you and for you and he will be faithful through this winter season. Remain in him and let his hope arise in your heart. Spring is just around the corner.

xo,

s.s.♥.