Most mornings I walk our dog, Lex, up and down our neighborhood street. A while back, I noticed that one of our neighbors was getting rid of some shrubs in front of her home.
As time progressed, I saw the dirt being prepared, as dark plastic went down and bark chips went on. Then one day small plants were arranged in a couple of nice rows. Lovely.
However, soon after the flowers were planted, we had an unseasonable cold snap and more than half of the flowers wilted and died.
As I walked past the dead flowers, I wondered to myself if I, like my neighbor, had ever tried to begin something new when the time wasn?t quite right.
Over the course of our lives many of us are taught that things should always get bigger, bolder, better, broader. We should be ever expanding and always busy.
However, simply looking at the seasons of the year can show us that?there is a time for everything.
It is early February and those of us who tried on some resolutions have likely let a few of them slip. Instead of trying to force some kind of resolution that may not fit you, why not set aside a bit of time to meet with God and listen. See if you can discover where you are in your journey. My guess is that God?has some invitations for you that fit exactly where you are.
Each of us ebb and flow in and out of seasons physically, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, and relationally. It would help our souls greatly to pay attention to these movements and work along with them.
Assess your soul?
- Is it summertime? Are you basking in the sun and enjoying the pleasure of activity? Is it a time of energy and re-creating?
- Is it fall? Is there a bountiful harvest in which you get to participate? Are you bringing in the fruits of your labor?
- Is it winter? Have your branches been pruned? Are you quietly waiting as your roots dig deep and redirected sap replenishes your soul?
- Is it spring? Do you sense new life, new possibilities, new growth?
God meets us individually in each season. He certainly isn?t requiring a tree in winter to bear any fruit. And a tree blossoming in spring isn?t thinking about pruning yet.
With grace, let yourself be exactly where you are, and walk with God in that place. Welcome the?invitations?that resonate with the season in which you find yourself.
God, teach me lessons for living?so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me?
my whole life one long, obedient response.
See how hungry I am for your counsel;
preserve my life through your righteous ways!
(Psalm 119:33-34,40)
Adapted from a post on the Presence blog, January 2014.
Such a nourishing read. Thank you so much.