Happy Monday. I believe the seasons are confused!
The calendar says it is spring. Just yesterday it was sunny and warm (around 80 degrees). As I was driving a few days ago, I came upon a field of bluebonnets. They were breathtaking! Azaleas are beautifully blooming, trees are leafing out, and green is returning to our landscape. However, our weatherman has given a gloomy forecast of heavy rain, large hail, possible tornadoes, and possible frost! Where is spring going? Often, I forget how changeable springtime is.
Much like life are the changing seasons! There are long seasons of sunny, calm days that we accept with glee. Suddenly, the clouds arise and storms begin to blow. Although I know the same hand that sends the calm also produces the storm, I struggle to accept this fact easily. I am sure you do as well.
I found this quote from Charles Spurgeon: “Fear not the storm. It brings healing in its wings, and when Jesus is with you in the vessel, the tempest only hastens the ship to its desired haven.” I then wondered if we need these storms.
I Peter 1:6-7 says, Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
God seems to include lessons in our lives that we would rather skip. However, He chooses our curriculum. Whether we are two years old or 102 years old, we still have lessons to learn. The changing of seasons in our lives make life a grand adventure! With every step we take, in triumph and loss, God walks by our side.
The sermons that come from stormy times in life can be powerful. Are you there today? It has been said that if things are tough, we should consider that every flower that ever bloomed had to rise through a lot of dirt to become that beautiful blossom.
Just bloom, no matter the season and the storms that will come in each one.
by Beverly Hyles
From the Mondays with Beverly blog. Reprinted with permission.
