Every Season

This is a beautiful song that I've enjoyed a long time. For some reason, it seems to fit my mood perfectly today. Must be the cold, snowy, winter day we have here.

Life is all about seasons and I find myself in the dead of winter...literally, emotionally, and spiritually. So, the lyrics and footage about winter (and spring) are quite comforting and encouraging to me. God is so good to give us hope and comfort when everything feels like the cold and death have settled in for the long haul.

Oh how I need Him to be "teaching me to breathe"...and to be making me "newly purposed"!

Every Season by Nichole Nordeman

Every evening sky, an invitation

To trace the patterned stars

And early in July, a celebration

For freedom is ours

And I notice You

In children’s games

In those who watch them from the shade

Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder

You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered

To the harvest time

Forfeiting their leaves in late September

And sending us inside

Still I notice You when change begins

And I am braced for colder winds

I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come

You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven

Finally falls asleep

Wrapped in blankets white, all creation

Shivers underneath

And still I notice you

When branches crack

And in my breath on frosted glass

Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter

You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced

Teaching us to breathe

What was frozen through is newly purposed

Turning all things green

So it is with You

And how You make me new

With every season’s change

And so it will be

As You are re-creating me

Summer, autumn, winter, spring

So Many Memories

Everyone is in bed and the house is quiet...just the way I like it. I thought I'd read through some of the posts on my blog. Wow, I wasn't prepared for the wave of emotions that hit me as I did. Each funny story, hilarious comment and priceless picture reminded me how good life has been these last four years, for the most part. The birthdays, family visits, great times with friends, football games...so many memories.

It makes me smile, thinking about the wonderful times attached to the pictures and stories. But it also makes me sad because that chapter in my life has closed or is closing right now. Letting go of that life has been very difficult. So much so, that I find it hard to move forward. Part of it has to do with saying goodbye to some amazing people. Part of it is dealing with the regrets and unresolved issues. I pray that when the day comes that we drive away from here, God has given me the opportunity to make some things right. Either way...it will be a hard thing to do.

Life...Interrupted

Life was so very different the last time I posted my thoughts here. I was so very different too. In many ways I miss who I was then, but not in every way. Although this last year has been relentlessly tough, for the most part I'm thankful for the lessons I've learned...and for the person I'll one day be because of those lessons.

Beth Moore endured a short season of her life she describes as the "dark night of her soul". Nichole Nordeman's words express it well..."when it's dark and it's cold and I can't feel my soul...when the world has gone gray and the rain's here to stay..."

Both these women have described how I've been feeling for quite a while. This is SO not like me. What I'm resolved to do, though, is trust that even though life isn't always good, God always is.