Outside my window these days I see nothing but white with shades of gray. Snow everywhere the eye can see blends into a murky white sky. For a few days this scene seems tranquil, serene and picturesque.
The rest of the time it becomes a low-grade-never-ending monotony that fuses into your membranes as you breathe.
This is life, in February, in northern Indiana.
Life in general seems to parallel this scene as different events merge together during this season of life. A low grade stress over things you don’t have control over……a different list on different days.
Just life.
I was talking to a young lady the other day who was struggling with a hurtful situation. As much as I wanted to tell her “all was well” and “joy would come in the morning,” the most realistic counsel I could give her was, “It’s part of life. It’s going to happen.”
“#$%&; happens” I think is the vernacular term.
I’ve been reading II Corinthians recently, a letter in which Paul spends lot of time defending himself and his ministry. It’s not one of Paul’s more encouraging letters, lacking his usual passion. It struck me that life was happening for Paul, too. Just like us.
That message became my encouragement. As I went to prayer, I thanked God for
His word that brings truth no matter the circumstances.
going ahead of health situations, being there every step of the way.
going ahead of my children, who hurt physically and emotionally at times.
going ahead in the midst of unpleasant circumstances.
going ahead in the days and weeks to come that might be stressful.
Though the sun didn’t come out and melt the snow, or life become rosy, the “&*^% happens” mentality dissipated to a simple resign….
Time ebbs and flows with joy, pain, and the mundane.
Ecclesiastes says it best:
There is a time and a season 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.
As I counseled the young lady that her situation would pass, and her attitude affects her response to it, I am reminded this season of life will also pass…. just like the snow outside my window will soon be replaced with color, sun, and new life. And I, too, have a choice in how I respond while waiting.
Thank goodness, Life does happen.
(And next week’s forecast is for sun and higher temps.)
So True, Kim! And that's what I need in my attitude many many days here recently. Thanks for stating that so poignantly!
The constant other than God is change.