I know that many of you are still digging your way out of the snow or are trying to stay on your feet in the ice, but here - here there are signs of new life already! I almost didn't notice all these blooms on my tree, because I think they happened over night! I went out to take a picture of the beautiful blue sky - even though it was soooooo cold and hailed last night - and instead I look up and saw this! I turned and looked down my street and noticed that our street was lined with trees like this. Unfortunately, I took two pictures and my camera died. *note to self - learn to keep back up batteries charged and ready to go.
Seeing these new blooms really encouraged me today. It just seems to confirm the hope for REAL change that we have for 2009. Have you ever wished that you could do some parts of your life over? I know, you wouldn't want to live it ALL over again, because the experiences made you who you are today...yeah, yeah...me too - but really - there are some things that I really would like to take back. There were times in my life that I did wish for a new life. Of course, it was when I was younger and didn't realize how blessed I really was. Now, I wouldn't trade my life with anyone, but....
Stay at home moms - do you feel like you missed your calling in life?
Empty Nesters - are you worried about that hollow feeling you have now and are unsure about what's next?
Young teen or college student - Do you want to live a better life, but have gotten yourself in such a mess that you don't know where to start?
Successful business woman - are you tired of the every day expectations and demands that you've allowed to be put on you?
Everybody else - do you just ever feel like you are withering away in depression or under the weight of everyday burdens? Do you feel like you are falling short of the expectations that even you've set up for yourself?
Guess what? You are not alone. There is not one easy "fix it" to change your life, but there is something that can help you to get back on the path to renewal and hope.
The trees that lost every single leaf and were taken to and fro with the wind did something right - something that they were created to do. They gave in to the Creator.
Imagine if the trees thought that their cold empty branches meant that they were dead forever? They'd never see the day that they'd be in full glory with blooms that are so beautiful and a fragrance that is so rich that it would soon be followed by fruit in abundance!
We may feel that we are spent, tired, exhausted even - but there is still life in you. How many times have you heard (or said) that 2008 was a really bad year, that it will be hard to recover from 2008?
I encourage you to look toward tomorrow, to realize that you CAN. Yes, 2008 may have been rough, but do I need to remind you of the process that takes place when gold is being refined? The heat that it has to take in order to become that pure gold that is so highly desired? It does not come easy. Faint not my friend - you can be renewed!
You may not see the fruit of your labors right away, but do not despair! It will come.
2 Corinthians 4:16 - 18
2 Corinthians 4:16 - 18
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
5 comments:
Wow. Thanks Sherry. I needed that.
Fabulous post, and I'm so jealous of the signs of Spring. My change of season is still long away.
I am a stay at home mum and I live my calling every day. All I wanted to be was a mother to a gaggle of children. I had to stop at four only because my body wasn't able to handle anymore. I wasn't willing to upset those children in the attempt to adopt because I did not have a driving need or the patience to go through the hoops required to survive the process. Though I would have enjoyed having more. At this point I'm willing to wait (a couple decades) for grandchildren.
My life is ever evolving and changing. I embrace all of the evolutions of myself. I have learned (I hope) from my mistakes and I do not let those who would crush my spirit win. Ever.
I have no doubt that my life will evolve yet again, maybe many more times. I don't believe in "retirement" as I think you can be a contributing member of society until you are six feet under or on an urn on a shelf! Right now, I have been struggling to decide what direction to take. Maybe I just shouldn't force the issue and let my evolution find me!
Is my life exhausting? Absolutely. But more, it's exhilarating and joyous. I celebrate the good every day and make every effort to grind through the bad. Learning every step of the way. After all, you can only deal with that which you can control, the rest is just crap.
Thanks for your posts, Sherry. They always brighten my day and give me much to think about!
Great Post Sis.
Thanks Sherry! I needed that! The Lord is so faithful.
And by the way, those look like flowering pear trees--my favorite tree of all time. This one of the best times of the year because they are blooming all over the place. When I grow up and get my own house I'm so going to have one. They remind me of what the "White Way of Delight" must look like. :)
What a wonderful post. I can always count on you to see the glass half full! What an inspiration you are to so many!
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