Seasons

Have you ever gone to church and think that the Pastor's message was just for you? This past Sunday, I promise you that God was speaking directly to me through Bro. Dan's message. This past week I had really been thinking about seasons of life. I know that I haven't really talked much about my and Joseph's divorce on here, because frankly, it's depressing and not something that I really like to talk about. But it is a fact of my life right now and something that I am trying to work through, so I might as well talk about it. Back to my topic.... I was thinking about seasons of life this past week or so. I have been reminding myself over and over that this period is just a season in my life. A season full of sadness and grieving over my husband, our marriage, and all the comes with that. I keep reminding myself that I will only be in this season for a while. One day, my season will change. I have no idea how long God needs to keep me in this season, it is really in His hands. I know there is something He needs to show me and for me to learn during this season. The funny thing is that while I have been thinking about all of this stuff this week, Sunday morning's sermon was on what else? Ecclesiastes 3. "Yes, Lord...You have my attention, I am listening!"

1 There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.


9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

Granted, there have been many times that I have felt like Solomon and decided that everything in life is meaningless. He was right, everything in life is meaningless apart from God. I love verse 11 where it states that He has made everything beautiful in its time. I keep reminding myself of that fact. God will make everything beautiful in His time, even if we can't see the beauty in the midst of the storm. No one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. All I can see at the moment is a little piece of the puzzle. God can see the whole picture and how that piece of the puzzle fits into the bigger scheme of His plans for my life and what that picture will ultimately turn out to be. I have learned a lot from the experience. I have experienced God's love, grace, and mercy more fully unlike any other time in my life. I have also experienced how I can be when I allow myself to take my focus off God and let my fleshly, sinful side rule my thoughts and actions. I have decided that I prefer myself taking the lead from the good Lord instead. Apart from God its easy to become full of bitterness and resentment. To throw yourself a pity party and to question God and ask why would He allow something like this to happen. But when you live in the truth and believe that God does love you and He does care, it helps keep things in perspective. Who am I to question anything? Romans 8:28 states: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. God can work any circumstance for His glory, for the good- if we allow Him to do so. I believe that God has protected me and kept me from an even more painful experience down the road. It may not seem like the best scenario to me right now, but in the end I know that God is faithful.

There is a time for everything under the sun. One day my mourning will turn into dancing. One day this season will be over and I will find myself in a season even better than any other season I have ever experienced. I can say that with confidence, because I know that unlike man, God never breaks a promise. So I am very thankful that the Lord spoke to me and reinforced what I was already thinking. He is an awesome God, is all I can say. Right now you may find yourself in a good season. If so, give thanks for God's blessing. Or you may find yourself in a bad season. If so, give thanks to God anyway. There is ALWAYS something to be thankful to God for. There is always hope through Christ. Remember, God makes all things beautiful in His own time.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. ~Romans 15:4