Tuesday, February 28, 2012 - When Life Gets Foggy

When Life Gets Foggy

I was driving to work this morning and it was uncharacteristically foggy. I don’t mean a little fog, like what you see over a pond or a lake in the morning. I’m talking minimal-visibility-can-barely-see-the-brake-lights-10-feet-in-front-of-you foggy.

I wasn’t running late, but I had left my place in just enough time to not get stopped by too many lights or drive behind someone slow Granny and still be punctual in my arrival.

It’s not that I put that much thought into it. I was actually only able to do this because of my programmable coffee maker that I set last night and the fact that my car didn’t have to defrost because of mild temperatures this morning. Otherwise, I would have definitely been late. I digress.

What I didn’t expect as I left at my distinctly calculated time, though, was the immense fog that met me even as I left my parking space and turned to exit my complex. Since I live in a different city than my morning job, I thought surely the more I travel the fog will dissipate. Nope. The longer I drove, the thicker it got. The visibility continued to decrease until I was the slow Granny squinting my eyes to see the vehicles ahead of and around me.

All of a sudden, I realized how terrifying that experience could have been. I couldn’t see anything. What if there was an accident in front of me? I probably would have just added to the pile. What if a deer darted in front of my car? What if, by some strange occurrence, the road on which I was traveling suddenly ended, or was blocked or barricaded?

I was comfortable in this fog because I was familiar with the route. Even though I couldn’t see the street signs, I knew when to slow down and where to turn. I was driving in faith that everything was as it should be so I wasn’t concerned with not being able to see far ahead.

But, what happens when life becomes foggy? I’d like to say that I have that same faith. I’d like to say that I am comfortable in what God has for me whether my visibility of the future is clear or too thick to see what is right in front of me. I’d like to say those things, but that wouldn’t be entirely truthful.

The truth is, when life gets foggy, I go crazy. I straight up freak out. When things don’t go as planned at work or my roommate moves out unexpectedly or a parent becomes ill or I realize that some relationships with family that I’ve been working for years to develop are just never going to happen…when these things creep into my life — when life gets foggy — I freak out. I’m just so eternally grateful to serve such a loving Father who allows me to freak out, to experience those emotions and waits with loving arms for me to crawl in, rest in, and lay my burdens at His feet.

I know that I can never repay Him for the sacrifices He’s made or the blessings that He bestows upon me, but oh, how I could show my appreciation by just trusting Him.

To trust the Lord with my life as I trusted Harris Boulevard this morning; to [recognize when to slow down] and where to turn based on prayer, discernment and living in the center of His will; to become comfortable in the fog, knowing that whether visibility is low or I can clearly see my path, He is in control and the route is more than familiar to Him, these are my prayers for today.

{Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.}

Hebrews 11:1, NIV

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Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - I may have just lost a couple friends...

I may have just lost a couple friends…

I’m working on my message for next week and I came to a point where curiosity began to lead me in a different direction. I don’t want to give away the topic, lest some of my students somehow read this (which, I hope you don’t — but if you do, be prepared to hear this story again, ha!), but I do want to pose some questions that I have in my own life, but aren’t necessarily where the series is headed.

I have an irrational fear of being murdered.

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve watched way too much CSI, NCIS, Criminal Minds, or crazy Denzel movies but I am ridiculously afraid of this. Aside from having designated hiding places in my home (in the event a home invasion occurs) and planning escape routes whenever I’m in a new environment (and you just thought I was rudely people watching), the point where it passes paranoia and ventures into neurotic is when this fear affects my decisions to help people.

There have been so many times that I was driving and I see someone stranded and I have an internal tug-of-war about stopping to offer assistance. I mean, to the point that I have actually slowed my car on the highway and then at the last minute made the decision to speed off.

A lot of times the stranded motorist is a man, so I don’t feel quite as awful making a decision that so heavily affects my safety, but sometimes it’s a woman and occasionally a family with kids. I always worry about what I would do in that situation and quite honestly, how utterly sad I would feel if absolutely no one stopped to help me.

Of course, my human mind justifies my decision with “Someone will come along soon” and “Everyone has a cell phone these days, I’m sure they’ve called for help.”

Then, the dramatics start flowing in: “I could be on the news. They could murder me or have someone jump out of the bushes and kidnap me or take my license plate information and follow me home and rob me and no one will ever know what happened!”

{Now, although the news is absolutely littered with horrific tragedies that, sadly, are becoming more and more prevalent, these are still somewhat isolated events. I, also, am aware that it is completely ridiculous for my fear to cripple my decision to extend a helping hand to someone, but thank you for having your contacts pulled up on the screen to recommend me to a good therapist.}

For a good while after I have passed the scene I always wrestle with the possibility that I was not obedient to God. Always. This has never not happened.

Was He whispering to me and I chose to ignore Him? Did God intend for me to help them? Because if He did I’m sure He would protect me. What could God have done for me in that situation? What could He have done through me? Where am I inserting my own fears in the place where God’s trust belongs? And where am I just being maniacal?

Alright, I know this is a trivial example and some of you may have questioned our friendship in reading this post, but I do want to throw some questions out there, hopefully with some feedback:

• I know, if we’re honest, fear affects a great number of us. Where has fear crippled you, specifically preventing you from God’s work?

• For me, it’s easy to trust God with things like my finances or relationships, because He’s shown up time and time again. But how do you discern whether you’re making a logical decision for your livelihood or disobeying God’s call because of a battle with trust and faith and the Enemy’s attempt to push you to lack those things in our Savior?

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirst and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
::Matthew 25:34-40, emphasis added::

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Saturday, January 21, 2012 - Disorientation (dĭs-ôr’ē-ěn-tā’shən)

Disorientation (dĭs-ôr’ē-ěn-tā’shən)

dis-o-ri-en-ta-tion. The definitions on dictionary.com are:

1. Loss of one’s sense of direction, position, or relationship with one’s surroundings.
2. A temporary or permanent state of confusion regarding place, time, or personal identity.

My response to these definitions: yes.

I find it necessary to include that under the “Related Words” section, the website listed “freak out.”

Haha. YES!

Everyone deals with disorientation. Either you’re currently in a season of disorientation, you just got out of one, or — sorry to break it to you — you’re about to head right into one.

I’ve been sitting on these thoughts since my grad school program’s retreat last weekend, and I’d love your insight. In order to keep this post somewhat concise, I’m going to share the two main things I feel God has revealed to me as I reflect on past seasons of disorientation in my very brief, but very blessed life thus far. And, just as a disclaimer, the seasons on which I’m reflecting include both periods when I was walking with Christ and also very far from Him, in a very dark place.

Idea Number 1 may come as a shocker to you, or you may be much, much wiser than I and you’ve already figured it out: God knows when we are in a season of disorientation.
If you’re anything like me, it doesn’t cross your mind that God is fully aware of which seasons we are settled in at the moment, and He doesn’t need human revelation to grant Him this knowledge.

And here’s another interesting fact: while God is very in tune with every emotion we feel, our season of disorientation does not place God in a season of disorientation. It does not alter God’s ability to work on us, in fact, it MAGNIFIES God’s ability to work on us. God does not lose His sense of direction when we are confused. Instead, disorientation forces us to seek God as we should, and it reminds us that He is in control.
Have you needed to be reminded of that recently?

Our dependence on the Lord, our willingness to surrender to Him, is what affects our relationship with Him and allows Him to do a mighty work in us.

I think once we realize that the Lord is not thrown off when things don’t happen according to our plans, we can find true comfort and security in allowing Him complete and sovereign rule over our lives, trusting Him to take care of us.

Idea Number Two: our seasons of disorientation are vastly prolonged by our insistence on shortening them.

Whether it is because we don’t want to wallow in our distress, we feel we should pull ourselves up by the bootstraps, or whatever the case may be, we too often try to escape the very place in which God has put us. Reminder: He knows where we are, and we are not here by accident.

How can I say that in the face of tragedy? Because I am a living testament that God, who does not create evil, uses what has been intended for harm and transforms those things into good, into glorious works. Rest assured that nothing in God’s kingdom is wasted.

That being said, I know all too well how pressing the desire to flee from the state of disorientation can be. But I find that we often stay in this season far longer than God intends because of our desperate attempt to climb out of it. In doing this, we miss the lessons (or as I read somewhere that I have now forgotten, the “Blessons”) that God is giving to us. We miss what He is giving us — or what He is taking away — while we are frantically searching for peace and joy.

Please don’t misunderstand me: I am certainly not saying that we should not seek joy and peace, especially in the midst of our trials. That is a fundamental principle of Christianity and to say otherwise would be remiss. What I am saying is that searching and seeking are two different things. We cannot search for these things. We cannot receive them through Bible studies or podcasts. Joy and peace are gifted to us from God, through whichever avenues He chooses, and we must accept them in whatever form they arrive for them to mean what He intends.

What He revealed to me about this shook me to the core: Just like our salvation, it is not our efforts that move us to the next level in the cycle of (dis)/(re)/orientation, it is God’s almighty grace. Yet another gift.


Does that mean that we are off the hook and we have permission to sit around and wait for God?

No.

Yes.

We have permission to wait for God, and when He gives us permission to act we should promptly get off our butts and do so.

So what are my action steps? These come straight from one of the professors at the retreat:

1. Claim your deaths.
2. Accept your births.

I find these to be very difficult and very, very necessary.

Claim your deaths. You are not supposed to be who you were before, or else God would have left you that way. He wants you to be more like Him.

Stop holding on to the past.

Claim whatever He has stripped from you.

Name it.

Become aware.

If it hurts, good. You’re headed in the right direction.

Accept your births. God is taking things away to make room for blessings that are infinitely better. This, too, may hurt. And I have no words of consolation other than God will take care of you.

“being confident of this, that He who began a {good work} in you WILL carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
-Philippians 1:6, emphasis added.

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Saturday, January 14, 2012 - Sin nailed and crucified

 “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.” -Galatians 5:24

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Monday, November 21, 2011 - Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks…not a traditional Thanksgiving Post

There are only 9 days left in my 30 for 30 Challenge and I couldn’t be more excited. I am really looking forward to putting together an outfit and not thinking to myself “I’m pretty sure I wore at least one part of this about 3 times last week.”

It’s been a struggle to say the least, but I am proud of my increasing ability to look at an article of clothing, begin to say “well, technically I could wear this and no one would actually know the difference,” and then quickly shut down the temptation to abandon my commitment, even though all the while I begrudgingly slip into the same pair of Toms and switch between cardigans and scarves.

Of all the things that have surprised me during this month, my attitude ranks pretty close to the top. I recently lamented to a friend how annoyed I was with this Charlotte weather and the fact that this challenge is not working like I thought it would (or let’s be real, it’s not working like I thought it should) because none of my clothes match the weather we have been experiencing. As if that wasn’t a ridiculous enough complaint, I then started griping about how I thought God would speak to me about being a good steward of my resources and He would divinely reveal to me which specific articles of clothing He wants me to give away to the needy. Seriously? I was basically complaining about how privileged I am. What the [expletive].*

Like with every other situation, I started my “I Wonders.”

I wonder how much easier it would be if the weather for this month matched the articles of clothing I chose at the beginning of this challenge?

I wonder how much easier it would be to do this challenge in the Spring?

I wonder how much easier it would have been if I chose different pieces to work with?

I wonder, I wonder, I wonder.

Then, it hit me: I wonder what life would be like if I shut up, stopped wondering, and started living.

This 30 for 30 Challenge is such a simple illustration to a truth that I need to be reminded of time and time again. God doesn’t put us in situations for us to wonder about possible outcomes. He puts us in situations for us to live in them and learn from them, and draw closer to Him.

So, here are my real “I Wonders.”

I wonder what would have happened if I had stopped being so self-absorbed and reached out to my friend before he was found dead by his sweet sister this past Easter?

I wonder what would have happened if my mom hadn’t gotten sick this summer, leaving her in a wheelchair today and dependent on others for the simple tasks of daily living.

I wonder what would happen if I would leave my past in the past, stop being a victim of circumstance, let the people who are trying to love me do just that, and forgive the ones who I allow to continually rob me of my joy.

I wonder, I wonder, I wonder.

Instead of continuously wondering, I am choosing now to thank God for every thing that comes my way, because I am promised that He makes all things come together for my good (Romans 8:28).

So while I have to wear the same shirt repeatedly because it’s too warm for a sweater, I thank God, for the 77 degree November days in place of rising flood waters or destructive tornadoes.

While I’m forced to wear the same three pair of shoes despite the arsenal in my closet, I thank God, for the footwear that protect me from blisters and frostbite, alike.

I thank God for my increasing awareness that His opinion is the only one that matters and for showing me that even if I wear the same shirt 3 times in one week, no one else is paying that much attention to me, anyway. And they shouldn’t be.

I thank God that even though many have gone on too early for me, His plan is being carried out to completion, and I am more sensitive to the need to stop being everyone’s friend, and instead just be the best friend I can to the ones that I have.

I thank God that a stroke that could have taken a life exposed many underlying conditions that contributed to a ticking bomb with very minimal time left on the clock.

I thank God for showing me that in order to live a life that is full, satisfying, and pleasing to Him, I must end the sob story that plagues the memories of my childhood, I must chose to release the pain underneath the anger, and I must chose to forgive.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)

I wonder what would happen if you tried this?

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Tuesday, November 8, 2011 - We plan our course, He determines our steps

God is good. It doesn’t matter what I’m going through, everything can and should be for His glory. And often it’s the things [circumstances, situations, “blessings in disguise” — if you will] that we don’t choose that He uses.

So often we are busy making plans, charting our courses that we lose sight of the fact that it’s not only God’s plan that matters, it’s God’s plan that will come to pass. I so often forget this and busy myself with details when I need to worry about being obedient. God has brought me exactly where I am in this moment in my life and there is no way of thinking that makes me believe I am going through anything by accident. He uses everything I do, whether outside or aligned with His will to carry out His plan, it is just up to me whether I’m obedient and take the direct route He has prepared for me or I wander around a bit. This is an exciting thought because it assures me that everything is taken care of. It is a comforting thought because it reminds me that I don’t have to have it all figured out because I’m not the one in control. And it is a terrifying thought because I have no idea what’s next and based on past experiences whatever He’s preparing for is nothing I am expecting.

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” - Proverbs 16:9

No matter what our circumstances are, the Lord never leaves us or lets go, even when we interpret His answer to our prayers as ‘no’ or as Him ignoring our requests completely. Everything is for His glory and we just have to wait until completion of His plan, not completion of ours. By rushing Him, we are asking Him to bless our plans rather than worshipping Him for the blessings He has provided.

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Thursday, October 20, 2011 - A Word to the Worriers

A Word to the Worriers

Life comes quick and with a fury that cannot be explained. And I honestly don’t know how those living apart from God cope with anything. Seriously.

I know there are so many times when I am far from God and trying to do life on my own without surrendering to Him, but I am thankful that even in those extremely dry seasons, those times where I’m riddled with anxiety and uncertainty poisons every thought, there is still a particular peace the Lord allows me to feel. Something that’s inside, that lets me know everything is going to be alright. It seems crazy and contradictory and I’m not even going to try to explain it, but anyone who has ever felt that knows exactly what I’m talking about.

I haven’t always felt this, though. That’s how I know Jesus is alive and present. That’s how I know that the Holy Spirit lives in me. That’s the only way I am able to confidently proclaim that I am a Christian. That feeling of peace in the midst of chaos.

I used to worry about everything. I mean everything. I would get upset when the time of day changed. Then it was revealed to me that just because I don’t want something to happen doesn’t mean it’s not supposed to happen. And a lot of times it happens because it”s better than what I was trying to control. Not always. Sometimes things just happen because that’s how life is. But most of the time the things that I don’t choose are so much better than anything I could have dreamed.

This Scripture is found in the Gospel of Matthew, but I like Luke’s version better. It’s sassier. “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” (Luke 12:25). It’s like Jesus is daring the disciples to answer.

Really think about that, though. Who of you, reading this post, adds anything to your life when you worry? None of you! Worry adds nothing! It doesn’t add time, comfort, happiness, certainly not productivity. Have you ever tried to get something done while you’re worried about bills, loved one’s health issues, upcoming deadlines, or what you’re going to wear to an upcoming wedding? Ain’t gonna happen.

Well, I take that back. Worry adds nothing positive. It adds stress, bitterness and everything negative. But most importantly, it takes away. It takes away dependance on God. So stop it. Stop worrying and start depending on God.

I’m not saying it’s that easy, that not worrying is just as easy as not sideswiping a mailbox. (I also have no idea where that example came from, but I guess it works since generally people don’t take out mailboxes but it has been known to happen.) Not worrying is a conscious choice you have to make. It takes intentionality and effort and like all else you won’t succeed every time. Well you might, but I don’t. So if you figure it out, give me a call so we can chat :)

I try to practice and believe in Psalm 55:22, “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” It’s tough, but I believe in His word. And most importantly I believe in His love for us.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (italics added). Even when I’m not feeling very righteous I am still comforted knowing that God cares about me and wants to carry my burdens. I don’t have to be perfect. I don’t have to be completely free of mistakes or sin. Which is great, because that’s impossible.

What an awesome God we serve.

 
And for that, I am so thankful.

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Tuesday, July 12, 2011 - Thankful Tuesday

Thankful Tuesday

You know how at Thanksgiving Dinner you sit around the table with your family and each person shares what they are thankful for from the past year? Well, as you many of you know, today is Tuesday, but I’d like to take this time to share some of the things I’m thankful for.
I wish it was Thursday, not because Thanksgiving falls on a Thursday but because Thankful Thursday sounds much catchier. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned this year it’s that I am here today because God wants me to be, because He has a purpose for me to fulfill so I’m not going to rearrange His plans to fit into my schedule.

I am thankful that the person I was two years ago and the person who is writing this post are nearly strangers.

I am thankful for stretched faith.

I am thankful for second chances.

I am thankful for the family I was born into.

I am thankful for the families who have chosen me.

I am thankful for cloudy days, because without them I wouldn’t miss the sun.
[That was no metaphor. Look outside your window, today is actually cloudy and it’s gross.]

Metaphorically speaking, though, I am thankful for cloudy days (trials & troubles) because without them I wouldn’t miss the sun (the blessings God provides throughout the storms.)
I am thankful for my ability to recognize how the ways God has worked in my past is bearing fruit in my present.

I am thankful for my ability to recognize that God’s “no” is not His restriction, but more than likely His protection.

I am thankful that God chooses to answer my prayers the way He wants, and not the way I want.

I am thankful for a God who displays Himself in mighty winds and in gentle whispers.

I am thankful for today, and whatever comes with it.

::“…and when life becomes something just to get through, that’s when I’m glad I belong to you.”: - “I Belong to You,” Superchick::

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Saturday, June 18, 2011 - Out of the Mouth of Babes

Out of the Mouth of Babes

A couple of months ago I was serving in our preschool class at church and a question was asked that I haven’t been able to get out of my head. We had finished worship (otherwise known to a co-worker’s daughter as “singing songs and flashing lights”) and we were about to dive into the message for the week, which I’m sure was some variation of “Jesus loves me and he wants to be my friend.”

The Treehouse leader had just begun the story when a little voice politely interrupted. Usually when a hand is raised in Treehouse it can mean anything from “I have to go potty” to “My brother ran over my turtle yesterday.” You can imagine my surprise when the sweet voice asked “Why do we always talk about Jesus whenever we come in here?” As the other adults and I caught each other’s eyes to determine how to best answer the question with the flow of the presented story, the voice continued: “Why don’t we ever talk about God?”

The leader answered plainly, “Well, we do talk about God. Jesus is God.” The air thinned and we knew we could continue with the Bible story, until the child offered this rebuttal: “No, he’s not. Jesus is God’s son.”

At this point I was halfway wishing the kid just had to use the bathroom. I found it mind-boggling that this child’s brilliance and naivety could be so intertwined. This preschooler, who probably spent a good amount of time playing with spit bubbles and arguing with siblings over toys, so matter-of-factly presented truth without a shadow of a doubt.

Out of the mouth of babes.

This child wanted to know why we talk so much about Jesus during the weekend lessons. He wasn’t interested in the reasoning behind curriculum designed for 3-5 year olds. He wasn’t looking for theology. He was looking for simplicity. Rather than offer that, we tried to explain one of the most complicated aspects of the Christian faith to a four-year-old.

I’ve been thinking about how often people approach us with curiosity about our faith and we offer drawn out, legalistic responses that put the religion of Christianity in the place of the relationship with Christ.

As (somewhat of) an adult, I still can’t wrap my head around the Trinity. I just accept the fact that God is fully human in Jesus and Jesus lives in each of us as the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is a manifestation of God as part of my faith. I’ll never understand it.
But I’ll also never understand why babies are born addicted to drugs and women are sold into slavery and villages are annihilated and friends die way too young.

And I’ll also never understand why out of all of the mistakes I have made in my life, all of the sins I continue to commit each day, the Lord loves this undeserving soul so much that he can’t bear the thought of being separated from me.

A requirement of a relationship with God is the acceptance of His grace.

Grace does not mean I avoid consequences for my actions. No, no. Grace just means I can be forgiven and truly seek God.

It’s difficult, but it’s not complicated.

Just as I accept the idea of the Trinity so must I also accept the gift of grace.

I may be biased, but I think we can all learn a thing or two from preschoolers.

Mark 10:15, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

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Monday, January 31, 2011 - Fighting Complacency

Fighting Complacency

Lately I’ve been journaling quite a bit as I work through some changes and identify opportunities for growth in this new season of my life. Since I haven’t Tumbl’d in a while, and in honor of today being the last day of January 2011 (insane, right?!), I would like to share a quote from Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist:

“Some of the most life-shaping decisions you make in this season will be about walking away from good-enough in search of can’t-live-without.”

She might as well have titled the chapter “Pay attention Brittany, I’m talking to you.” All jokes aside, it’s so easy to become content with the daily grind — gym in the morning, dinner plans after work, maybe a movie on the weekend —  but we are not on this Earth to develop our comfortability. Even in our spontaneity we have become predictable. I commit to challenging myself to fight complacency, to stop settling, to get out of my comfort zone and to step out in complete faith.

This Christian life of engaging in quiet time and helping out at the local shelter is certainly good-enough, but I’m on fire to walk the city streets and love my neighbors like our can’t-live-without Savior.

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Wednesday, January 12, 2011 - Cabin Fever

Cabin Fever

I didn’t really have cabin fever this week, but it seemed like a suitable title for this post. This week was actually quite relaxing. Worked from home, watched movies with my roommate, caught up on some reading. Sounds like a wonderful snow week to me. I didn’t realize, however, until I left the house today how narrow my world had become. Being snowed in the past three days, I had too quickly become content with ordering clothes online and watching recorded shows on the DVR. It wasn’t until I drove to work today that I remembered the beauty that God intended us to experience in nature. And that it was. Absolutely beautiful. The roads were clear today, perfect driving conditions — safe, comfortable, peaceful. The snow that remained on the ground seemed pure, blanketing all the mistakes of my past. The solid, heavy ice chunks dripping from the trees, melting and evaporating into nothingness were like my sins that have been graciously forgiven and forgotten to allow me yet another chance. The sun seemed exceptionally bright today as it struck the ground, giving me a fresh perspective. I may be Jesus-Juking my day a little bit, but it was like a little reminder from God, like He was saying “Hey, even when you’re all wrapped up in the details of life that don’t matter, I want you to know I’ve created more for you. Just get out and look for it.”

Thanks, God. I need these reminders.

 

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Thursday, January 6, 2011 - For everything there is a season

For everything there is a season….

For everything there is a season,

a time for every activity under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die.

A time to plant and a time to harvest.

A time to kill and a time to heal.

A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to cry and a time to laugh.

A time to grieve and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stone.

A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

A time to search and a time to quit searching.

A time to keep and a time to throw away.

A time to tear and a time to mend.

A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate.

A time for war and a time for peace.

- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

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