In our garden we have a hot pink Crepe MyrtIe (I had to google to find out what type of tree it was!). It blooms in the height of summer, bringing a huge splash of colour to our garden. I love it, often exclaiming to the children as we drive in the driveway, “Look at the tree, look at the tree, it is so beautiful.”
Of course in the winter it looks very different. Just a trunk and branches. No leaves. No hot pink flowers.
Seasons
God tells us in Ecclesiastes that there are seasons,
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV.
In September 2020 I felt that nudge from God that my season for writing this weekly blog had ended - Permanently or temporarily - I didn’t know, but I obediently stopped. A few weeks later in October 2020, we found out that Victoria would have to re-commence chemotherapy treatment for a year.
Is it time to start again?
Midway through 2022 I wondered, is it time to start again? But I didn’t get a clear “yes” from God so I just waited. And then in Oct 2022 we received the news Victoria was going to need brain surgery, so clearly not the right time to start writing again - there were other priorities!
Maybe now?
Then in May 2023, it seemed as though it may be the right time to write so I put together a plan for the first couple of months of blog posts, planning to start in July. However, that timing wasn’t right either, as some new health challenges appeared for Victoria in June of which she is still contending with.
Or maybe now?
But here we are today, the first Sunday in 2024. My husband has recently started as the Sunday morning announcer at a local Christian radio station. He is up and out of the house early so I have a quiet few hours to myself. Victoria’s health continues to be challenging, but God is giving us each the daily grace we need to do that journey well. So I am sensing that it seems as though my next season of writing is finally here!
Now, where to start?
So where to start? I have read over the blog post plan I wrote last year and it still seems relevant - thank you Jesus for going before me and making a way!
When I reflect on the past three years, particularly with the challenges of Victoria’s health, there are many questions one could ask, but how about this one … “How does one live a life of hope when we are faced with so many unknowns?” That word ‘unknowns’ means different things to each of us. For me, with the unknowns of life, I need something unchanging that I can rely on - a firm foundation.
A firm foundation
A firm foundation - a place that I can go, no matter what is going on in our lives, and it will give me strength and faith to get up the next day and keep moving forward. For me, that firm foundation is God’s word - the Bible. That is the place I go to, reading it daily, fully expecting that God will speak to me through it, giving me His wisdom; reminding me that He loves me and that He will never leave me; encouraging me that He works all things together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose; and reassuring me that because of Jesus Christ we can have eternal life.
The Bible - the word of God
So over the next few weeks, I’m going to write about some of my favourite scriptures and how God has used them in my life. Today I will leave you with this one …
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NIV.
I encourage you today, to find a physical space, perhaps it is sitting under a beautiful blooming tree like our Crepe Myrtle, and take five minutes to be still and meditate on the truth that there is a God in heaven and He loves you.
PS: Don’t be surprised if tears come as you receive more of His love.
Needing some help to 'Be Still?'
Here are some beautiful worship songs that have helped me come to that place of 'Being Still' before God:
Be Still - Kari Jobe
Be Still - Live - Hillsong Worship
Looking for more encouragement?
Are you looking for more resources to help you draw closer to God, please check out my other blog posts and podcasts.
