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!