Seasons of Life

 "God comes closest to us when our souls are in repose . . . like petals dropping soundlessly

from a full-blown rose."

Helen Steiner Rice

 

"Last Friday morning the cows were resting peacefully as the day began to wake up. 

 

A devotion I read recently in the One Year Women in Christian History Devotional took me back about three decades. The devotion started like this: 

 

 "You'll sometimes hear people say, 'I'm not very religious, but  am very spiritual.' Often those people have had a negative church experience. They equate 'religion' with the church but 'spirituality' with their faith . . . The poet Emily Dickinson may not have said those exact words, but they could be used to describe her . . . at some point during her adult life she stopped attending formal religious gatherings. In her poem 'Some keep the Sabbath going to Church,' she explains that she does church at home, probably outside in nature." 

 

Dickinson is regarded as one of the most important figures in American poetry. We know her name and probably have read some of her poems.

 

I could just barely see the two deer over the tall grass in the middle of the field early in the morning.
 

As I read the story it took me back during a period of time I was crushed in spirit and heavily depressed. I had been a Christian for many years and faithfully read the Bible, listened and sang Christian hymns and songs, and persistently used the gifts God had given me to serve Him with. But I stopped going to church for a season in my life.

 

It was a heartbreaking time for me. As a very emotional person I was unable to overcome the hurt. I had to go out and work everyday. I didn't have a choice there. But I needed time to myself to be able to find the power to move forward. It took a long time.

During this time I worked for a Christian organization. I was under God's Word being taught and preached weekly. I was surrounded by Christian people and enjoyed rich fellowship and loved hearing God's Word. 

 

I'm thankful for the friends that carried me through with their prayers and support; never putting me down, but trying to help me overcome my broken heart. 

 

"On that same morning I enjoyed seeing this doe and twin fawn for a perfect picture!

I share this because we have the strongest urge to feel guilty and punish ourselves when we don't measure up to God's Word. And none of us ever will. Sometimes, though, in a life, a season comes to you that breaks you. 

 

This is not about not wanting to go to church and playing instead; not serious about your faith or being indifferent. Church is important. Very important. If you have a lackluster attitude about church and living for God, that's a whole different concern.

 

The story continues:

“She [Emily] says her chorister, what we would call a choir member, is a small blackbird called a bobolink. An orchard is her worship space. Emily, it seems was enjoying a worship service in nature. Not that she was worshiping nature; rather, she found nature a perfect place to commune with and learn about God. The poem goes on to say that God is the preacher in her outdoor service—and he is ‘a noted Clergyman.'" Randy Petersen and Robin Shreeves

I am in no way promoting the idea that you don't have to go to church, you can worship anywhere. It is true. You can worship anywhere. But that's not my point. What I am sharing is sometimes a season in your life comes along when you find it necessary to step back and nurture yourself when the dragons of life have overpowered you.

 

These two little ones were a delight in the tall grass!
 

The joy and support you receive in a church fellowship is needed by us all. We are instructed in God's Word: "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25

  

Continuing: "There may be a time in your life, whether it’s for just one week or an extended period, that you find yourself not attending regular church services. That doesn’t mean you’ve abandoned your faith or you’re out of touch with God. God uses many methods to speak to those who are listening.

“Find a quiet, natural spot to listen to the ‘noted Clergyman’ who speaks through His human servants and through all creation. Let Him call you back to worship with others.”

If you find yourself in a similar situation remember that God knows your heart. He knows what you can handle, and He'll work to bring you through. Study His Word like you've never studied before. Sing hymns and songs that inspire your heart. Use the gifts He's given you; your continued work for Him will help you overcome your difficult season in life.

One of my favorite snaps from our backyard in MD!

All of us go through difficult seasons in our life, and we handle them differently. This was one of my seasons. Your difficult season will be different. Remember to stay close to God. He will see you through and refresh your heart.

 I'm not proud of those years in my life. I've found, though, that we all go through difficult seasons that crush us. I share this in hopes of encouraging someone's heart. God always wins!

 

"Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you."  

Job 12:7  

 

Peony season is about finished for this year, but their lovely blooms, this one from my MD garden, still make me smile!
    

 

 

 

What Are You Thinking About?

We had lunch at the Farmer's Inn, Sigel, PA just up the road from us. Their goat pen was alive and active with many baby goats playing. This mom-to-be looks like she's about to bust!

 

 "To think is an effort; to think rightly is a great effort; and to think as a Christian ought to think is the greatest effort of a human soul."

Oswald Chambers (1874-1850)

 

The question stopped me. "What did you think about the last day or two?"  Was it "admirable?" Was it "good?" Was it "positive?"

 

Most of us are familiar with the Scripture Paul wrote in Philippians. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." verse 4:8

 

My thoughts don't just gravitate to good thoughts. That is something I have to work on. Negative thoughts usually win out over positive thoughts. The time we're living in certainly gives us pause for many negative thoughts.

 

 

So it means I have to work at thinking good things. "When our thoughts wander and cause worry, let's thank God that meditating on good things feeds our souls and enriches our relationship with God." 365 Devotions for a Thankful Heart

 

When do I think about good things? When I look out my window and admire the flowers blooming. When I see the first baby leaf. When I drive in the woods in the early morning. When I create something that's pretty or write something that's encouraging. These are good things I think about. I know you have good things to think about that define you. We need to do these things more.

I think negative thoughts when I'm not doing anything positive or constructive. I need to take this advice from the hymn "Higher Ground", second verse: "My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay; Though some may dwell where these abound, My prayer my aim is higher ground."

 

Maybe the best things to think about are reading the Word of God or singing a hymn or praise song. Our mind is transformed from negative to positive. Reading inspiring stories of people in years past brings inspiring thoughts too.

 

 

What is it that you do that brings positive thoughts? Good thoughts. Happy thoughts. Admirable thoughts?  "All of us can improve our habitual thoughts and better manage our wandering minds. If that sounds daunting or even impossible, remember that when God calls us to do something, He enables us to do it." 365 Devotions for a Thankful Heart.

 

So remember, it is for our benefit and pleasure we're told to think on good things. It will make our day happier. It will inspire us to do good things. It will improve our day-to-day living so that we concentrate on positive things. All this helps us to get through each day in a positive frame of mind.

 

 

What did I think about the last day or two? Well, I'm not sure it was all positive, but from this day forward I can make a conscious effort to be of good cheer and think upon all those things that are good and positive. What about you?  

 

"If we bring our minds back again and again to God, we shall be gradually giving the central place to God, not only in our inner selves, but in our practical everyday lives."

Paul Tournier (1898-1986)  

 

 

 

Inward Melody

"Whatever is outward in worship must come as a direct result of what is inward--otherwise, it will be form without power."

Howard Brinton

  

The beauty of peonies. I enjoyed a lovely peony patch in MD. Now there's one not far from home and I had the pleasure of snapping a few pictures.

I write a lot about music and singing. It occurred to me that some of you might think I'm a great singer, with a sweet melody and carries a tune beautifully. Well, it ain't quite like that.

I was good enough to sing in the choir at my home church. I had a strong voice and could carry the tune. But all that changed during a difficult and stressful period in my life. I started having muscle spasms in my throat.

They were painful, lasting from 30 minutes to an hour or more. Right before the Christmas Cantata at my church I had another spasm. It lasted two hours and when it was over I couldn't sing. I had my throat checked out and was told all looked good. But I couldn't sing.

I didn't sing in that Christmas Cantata or any other time the choir sang. One time Jerry and I went to Intercourse, PA for our anniversary, and they were having Christmas carolers and other displays for the season. We stood outside listening and I shed a few tears. "Why can't I sing anymore?"

Jerry told me I may not be able to sing anymore, but God has given me words. From that time on I've used words to express my thoughts and feelings. 

I recently read a devotion in 365 Devotions for a Thankful Heart titled "The Music of Gratitude." Let me share some of the words for you.

"All of us can thank God for the gift of music, but not all of us are especially musical! Karen, for instance, was not a musician, a worship leader, or a Sunday school teacher . . . Neither did Karen go around humming or whistling.

"But Karen did make melody inwardly to the Lord, and people recognized it. Karen had an amazing way of making everyone feel like her best friend. When she said hello, people sensed her joy at seeing them and her thankfulness for their place in her life. Encountering Karen was like hearing a favorite song that plays all day long. The contagious music in Karen's heart made people smile long after the saw her."

 

I like that. That's something we can all reach for in our Christian walk. God gave us each a voice to use for Him. A spirit of gratitude leads us to thank God, and the Spirit lightens our hearts.

"Goodness consists not in the outward things we do, but in the inward thing we are."

Edwin Hubbel Chapin, 1814-1880

Most of the time I just mouth the words when everyone sings, just loud enough for me to hear. It brings me as much joy as if I was singing as loud as ever! 

So if you're not happy with your voice, or can't carry a tune, remember this little story. Your inward melody can be joyful and bring great joy to others. So sing, friend! Let gratitude form lyrics in your heart, and share the joy!

This is a snap from MD. I love the water drops beneath the leaf. One of my favorites!

"The joy of the heart colors the face."

Unknown

A Mountain Canary Sings and God's Gifts

  "A bird doesn't sing because he has an answer--he sings because he has a song."

Joan Aglund

 

My friend, Karla Dornacher, wrote a book titled "Down a Garden Path," and she drew a lovely garden scene which had a bird house with a sign "God Lives Here." I loved it! So when I bought this little church bird house, I put a sign on it and enjoyed watching the little bird families in God's House!

 

I read the following story on Saturday morning from the Streams in the Desert 2 devotion book. It's a good reminder to all of us to sing, because it makes your heart happy!

 

"One lovely June morning I went out to work in the yard just a the break of day when the sun began to rise. A little mountain canary lighted on a ranch of the tree next to where I was standing and began his morning song of praise. At first I was so intent upon the work before me, and quite accustomed to the sounds of the mountain folk both day and night, that I hardly noticed his singing. Determined that there was to be an appreciative audience for his melodious performance, he hopped down to a branch within arm's reach and warbled more resoundingly. This time I stopped, gazed and listened. The little yellow creature put his whole soul into his eternal song; and I sensed deep within me that he was a choralist sent from God to brighten my whole day with his aria."  M. Taylor, Streams In The Desert, June 5 

 

I confess that I don't sing enough. I love quiet, and yet when I do sing it makes me so happy. Why would I not sing on a regular basis.

 

My kind of man! Feeding his love.
 

 Taylor continues: "Someone has said that a song at the right time and in the right place will outlive any sermon. Perhaps it may be that a song really comes from the melody in the heart . . . That feathered messenger caused me to avow that I was to keep the spirit of song in my life, to be useful to others, and become an inspiration to those within the sound of my voice." 

 

When I first started working at the Baptist Convention I remember a day when my heart was inspired just like the man who was listening to that little canary. There were monthly meetings for all the staff and one of the first ones I attended three of my co-workers  sang a song. My heart was so touched by their voices! It made a huge impression on me.

 

Thank you, Carol, Jeanette and Theresa for giving of yourself to others in this gift of song that God gave you. What a way to start a new job!

 

"God made the perfect and complete instrument; the human voice. It gives you personally, individuality, words, and music all in one vehicle."

Harry Verploegh 

  

Jerry named this birdhouse "Tiltin Hiltin" and it enjoyed many families!

Even if you love quiet, like me, determine to find time to sing songs that will inspire and encourage your heart. My "Melody of Hymns" does that for me when I'm driving. I need to remember that when I'm home.

"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."

Ephesian 5:19

 

And a little note on God's gift: "I used to think that God's gifts were on the shelves one above the other; and that the taller we grew in Christian character the easier we could reach them. I now find that God's gifts are on shelves one beneath the other, and that it i not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower, and that we have to go down always to get His best gift." 

                                                                                                  F. B. Meyer, Streams in the Desert, June 4

  

 

You Never Know

  "He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper."

Edmund Burke, 1729-1797

The first baby fawn I've seen this year.

 

I've been studying the book of Job for the past two months. I've turned to it many, many times in the course of my Christian walk, mostly to the end of the book when God speaks. I love reading about all He has created as He drills Job in chapters 38-41.

 

God spoke to Job asking him where he was when God made the earth: "On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone--while the morning stars sang together, and all the angels shouted for joy?" God asked: "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail . . ." and "Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?" "Everything under heaven belongs to me."

 

It's an interesting section of Scripture I read again and again!

 

I'm using an old, old, Sunday School quarterly from 1995. I was working at my home church at that time. On the front of the quarterly I wrote in big letters "THIS IS EXCELLENT ON JOB" and I never threw the quarterly away.

 

This time I read something that caused me to pause. It isn't what we normally hear when Job is preached. But it brings home a point that God uses often. God uses all people to complete His will. They may be good people. They may be bad people. In His perfect wisdom He arranges all circumstances to complete His will. These are the read I read:

 

"Ironically, even though Job's three friends were dead wrong, and their intent was to drive him to his knees in submission to their religious preconceptions, they were indirectly doing Job a great service.

 

"Credit them with: being with him; the comforting ministry of those first seven days of silence; not walking away when he started spewing out his bitterness; and giving him a sounding board with faces against which to bounce his conflicting thoughts and feelings.

 

"They miserably failed to feel with him, support him, or directly contribute to his understanding of what God was doing in his life. Their motives were mixed. Their theology was incomplete and inadequate. Their methods were wrong, they intensified his pain. But in spite of their misguided efforts, the fact that they were there arguing with him encouraged him to work through his feelings and grow in his perspective on the truth. A lesser man might have caved in to their pressures and missed finding out what God was doing. But, for Job, it was the fulfillment of Romans 8:28."  Adults Teaching Guide, June/August 1995, Scripture Press

 

 

Most of us our familiar with Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." It's a well taught verse of scripture.

 

For all the wrong Job's three friends laid on him, in the end they helped him work through his problems. It's hard to thank someone(s) when they seem to beat you up in the process. 

 

Sometimes someone's suggestion may leave you in a bigger mess, so you need to use the wisdom God endowed you with to work through suggestions. 

 

No matter the circumstances, the person, the place, God uses all things to perform His will. We can be thankful that His guidance is always with us, helping us to do the right thing. 

 

So, if your mother or father, or sister or brother, or friend or enemy, or teacher or boss upset you because of something they said, it just may be God giving you an opportunity to learn, rethink, grow. You just never know.