Seasons

Many words could describe this last year... joy, laughter, hugs, dancing, growing, growing pains, grief, remembering, wide-eyed, miracles, tears, work, little sleep, lots of sleep, seasons, new friends, family, celebration, mistakes, grace, Spirit-led, faith, promises, God's faithfulness, waiting, promises fulfilled, dreams, weariness, new days, love so amazing, hope. 
But one overwhelming theme:  God is always faithful.  :-)

Morning by morning I wake up to find the power and comfort of God's hand in mine
Season by season I watch Him amazed, in awe of the mystery of His perfect ways
All I have need of His hand will provide, He's always been faithful to me *

Today I just want to encourage you that in whatever season you are in, God is faithful and He knows exactly where you are.  He sees the beginning from the end... He knows the plans He has for you, we just have to trust Him and stay close to His heart. :-)

Painful things happen in this life... when you lose someone you love, it is right to grieve.  There's a season of grief, of trusting God to carry you, and of healing.  And healing comes in stages.  As I have grieved the death of someone I loved and those dear to me loved, it didn't help my heart to know a wise quote or have someone try to understand.  I just needed Jesus... I just needed love.... and I just needed to serve and love those around me, and trust God for the strength to do so.  When the whole world was pulled apart and ripped to shreds, my tears overflowing out of a heart trying to understand in grief, I stood in a circle of people and prayed to the God I knew was there.  Our friend may have died, but we knew she was with Jesus. We called on the God Who loves us more than we are capable of loving Him... and counted on Him to be our Comforter, just as He says in His Word.  We counted on Him to bring peace to our hearts, and to take our grief and be our Healer, just as He promised in His Word.  You know what?  He did, and He continues to... more ways than I could have imagined.  Our community is closer, and we are filled with hope.... even though it hurts sometimes.  Death wasn't meant to be, and I think it grieves the human heart on a level deeper than we can see because we somehow cry out in our hearts for the perfect world with no sin, no pain, no tears, no separation from people & no separation from God.  One day... :-)

So many good things have been this past year too... joy & laughter-filled memories abound.  It's like the Word says "...weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."  It is good to celebrate all of God's blessings... for every good thing comes from Him... but most of all it is good to celebrate Him.  He is the source of all true joy, comfort, love, hope, faith, holiness... forgiveness & healing... He is the Great One, Lord of all creation.  :-)

I will praise God in every season, because He is faithful.  His character never changes... He always was faithful, always is faithful, and always will be faithful.  I can count on Him & it gives me joy to praise Him.  Sometimes I remind myself (rather, He reminds me :) to Trust in the Lord with all my heart... I will never regret it. 

All of my life in every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship **

In every season & in everything, reach out to Jesus... for He's already reached for you.   :-)

*Song lyrics "He's Always Been Faithful" by Sara Groves
** Song lyrics "Desert Song"  by Hillsong