SEASON AND PURPOSE

To everything there is a season,

and a time to every purpose

under the earth.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Through an elementary-age student, I learned what the word “purpose” meant and also in adult years being a teacher of young elementary students. While on the playground, a sobbing little girl could come to me complaining that “so-and-so” had hit her. My response was usually, “I'm sure he didn't mean to do that.” I was soon corrected with: “Oh no, he hit me on purpose.” Every child knows what that word means in that context. It meant that something was deliberately done...no accidents.

That kind of human intent is a type of purpose. Looking at purpose from an adult point of view, it entails ones destiny and a goal one is meant to accomplish.

The verse begins by using word “season.” We know by now what the four natural seasons are that our country gets to enjoy. I had always lived with four seasons until moving to Texas. Fall and Spring moved very quickly and winters were usually pretty mild. Summer came on strong in Texas. Moving to Tennessee, I got back to enjoying four seasons.

We can look at our lives with relation to our natural seasons: Just as we look at the physical seasons we enjoy, we can view our own personal seasonal times. We are in the middle of all things spring where I live. One can smell the sweetness of flowers because of new growth, blooming trees are showing off all around us. It's that way in beginning years as far as our physical being is concerned.

In our opening verse, we find the words “season” and “purpose” together. When thinking about it, both concepts compliment each other. Whatever the season of life we find ourselves in, there is purpose. Right now we are living in the middle of God's purpose for our lives. Some would say they don't feel they have a purpose, but all believers have purpose in their lives that God has ordained for them. Knowing our gifts can be a help in realizing our purpose as can the Word of God, but it's there whether one feels it or not. We are all in certain seasons of life. Seasons may refer to ones age. but can also have to do with one's life experience. My “season” changed drastically in February of this year when my hubby Brian, went to be with the Lord. Not only am I in a certain season of age but also of experience. Life has changed for me and I will be a widow for the rest of my days.

No matter where you and I are in this thing of life, we are where God has intended for us to be. Some may fret and stew about season or purpose, but God is in charge. God makes no mistakes in our lives and we can rest in that fact. Many of you know I make little “foldies” for my Sunday school class when I teach. The following saying speaks to both season and purpose. It says:

WHERE THERE IS A PULSE, GOD HAS A PURPOSE!

If you and are kickin' and breathin', God isn't finished with us, and aren't we glad!

Thank You Father for Your precious will in our lives, for wanting to use us for Your glory, no matter our age or abilities. We are honored to be used by You. In Jesus' name...Amen 

JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus loves me, this I know,

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones in Him belong,

They are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

The Bible tells me so.

Maybe it hasn't ever happened to you like it has to me, but I'm at a loss for words this week. For ten years I've written a weekly blog. I don't think I've missed a week. The tally I see is over 5,000 blogs written and here I sit at a loss for words. Doesn't sound like me, does it?

Despite the heartache of missing my honey, I'm learning that every prop in my life may be kicked from under me, but there is a constant in my life and in yours as well  that is the consistent and fulfilling love of God. We painstakingly at times feel that there is no love like the love we know now in our earthly lives. That love may involve family, friends, things we love and God wants that kind of love for us, but not when we put those things ahead of the love of God that is deeper, wider, higher and to our very depths...a love we can't grasp or even understand.

I learned a long time ago that we will know broken hearts in this life of ours. I've also come to realize that only God can fill those gaps, filling them with I've often referred to as “God's Love Putty.” No one can mend our hurts like He can, that is if we let Him do it. He stands ready to comfort and heal any negatives in our lives as we snuggle under His precious wings.

Why do we love Him? John tells us it's because He first loved us. Paul tells us that nothing can interrupt or separate us from God's precious love. He speaks of it in Romans 8:38-39:

For I am persuaded, that neither death,

nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,

nor powers, nor things present, nor things

to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other

creature, shall be able to separate us

from the love of God, which is in

Christ Jesus our Lord.

Yes, Jesus loves me (and you) this I know even when I don't deserve it.  How great is that?

Thank You Father for loving us even when we least deserve an ounce of your attention. May we show our love for You in living obedient lives that honor you. In Jesus precious name....Amen 

The “New Normal”

For I am persuaded, that neither

death, nor life, nor angels, nor

principalities, nor powers, nor

things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any

other creature, shall be able to

separate us from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38,39

I've been hearing a lot   New Normal's these days. I understand what is meant by the term and know for the most part that it's something that has come my way. In thinking about the term, I've decided that with a New Normal, separation and change of some sort will surely be involved.

Our Bibles are full of folks who due to some drastic circumstances n their lives, found themselves in the middle of a New Normal.  For instance:

Abraham & Sarah...expecting a baby in those way-up years.                                                      God's people taken into captivity into a heathen land                                                                  Mary had a visit from an angel...she's to give birth to the Christ child                                          Disciples having close contact with Jesus for 3 years watch Jesus die 

The list could go on and on so this New Normal thing isn't anything new to mankind

Brian and I moved quite a bit, mostly because of his jobs transferring him and oh, how I hated those moves. It not only involved my personal New Normal but children were involved. Many a time, I went into the bathroom to take a bath and sat there with tears running off my face into the bath water. Brian always said that I hated change more than anyone he ever knew. I know he was right.

The biggest change for now is not having the earthly love of my life sitting in his chair next to mine as I write. Many have experienced this earthly emptiness I now know. I've come to believe that any New Normal has some of the same things involved in all our lives. New Normal's at least for we girls usually involve separation with change washed in tears. This isn't church camp or going off to college.

What I cling to in these days in part are the verses from Romans 8 I have loved for so long. My relationship with Jesus will never end through separation and we read that He changes not. He lovingly understands my tears and sense of loss. But if Jesus were to ask me right now, as He asked Peter, “Lovest thou Me more than these”...put in my present time, I would hope I could say that there is no one or no thing more important than my love and relationship with Him. He will never leave us or forsake us even on our worst day. May we hang on for dear life to this precious, unchanging and ever-present Savior of ours

Thank You Father for Your consistent love and concern for me. I especially thank You for Your nearness and for so many family and friends who have come along side me who have been “Jesus with skin on.” Help me to stay focused on You in these days as I walk this journey one day at a time. I love You more and more each day. In Jesus name...Amen