I often participate in the weekly writing party, Five Minute Friday, hosted by Lisa-Jo Baker. Lisa-Jo's prompt word today is WELCOME. The rules are simply to write for five minutes flat without editing, backtracking, or over-thinking.
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.
What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
Change is hard. I often put up a resistance to it. Not willing to move out of the routine. My daily habit. My comfort zone. I learned this summer that even good change is hard.
Yet when I give my life to Him. COMPLETELY turn it over, I can find comfort in knowing that He is in charge and He makes "everything beautiful in its time"!
Although it's important to embrace each moment, it's equally important to welcome what's coming. It's important to remember that in Jeremiah we are told that He has great plans, "plans to prosper, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jer. 29:11).
In the past, as the leaves began to turn, I mourned the loss of summer and agonized over the coming of winter instead of embracing the beauty of the season. I'm learning to welcome not only the changing weather seasons but also the seasons of my life. I'm learning to give Him control and trust that He will make "all things beautiful in its time".
Change is not always easy. It provides safety and security. I have learned that when I let go, His hand is Might enough to lead me. His plans are to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me a hope and a future.
ReplyDeleteYes, His hand IS mighty and this comforts me in the midst of change!
ReplyDeleteOh to welcome what comes my way. Yes, I'm striving.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant, beautiful 5 minute write, Laurie!
(and fall is my favorite season. My mom always wondered why as it means winter is ahead, but how can we not stop and look at the beauty??) :)
Fall, with it's lovely colors, is truly magnificent ~ especially when you embrace it's presence instead of worrying about the frigid cold days that are to come! ;)
ReplyDeleteHe does make all things beautiful in His time. I mourn the loss of every summer because our winters are so long.
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