“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up 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 together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast 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 for war, and a time for peace.
What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.
I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.
All are from the dust, and to dust all return.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-15;20
I’ll be honest, there are times when I gloss over quoted scriptures and keep on my merry way, reading the words of man, rather than God. But can I tell you, my words mean nothing. The Word is what endures, has meaning and gives life. So, if you can relate in the “breezing by”, I implore you to start over. His Word is paramount and should be first in all things. (*no judgement friend!)
Also, what I am about to say will have zero context if you’ve not read The Word above.
Seasons. Oh how they changes. Some can be quite beautiful and others so very challenging. Heartbreaking.
As I sit in my office writing these words, tiny white flecks dance outside my window. Quite tantalizing they are. The hope of what they may bring, clouded by the doubt of my rational brain. “It won’t amount to anything.”
Though this actual season is winter, my heart sings that it’s spring. New beginning. Life bursting forth. It’s cold outside, frigid even, but that cannot hold back the flame that burns inside.
Over the past 10 years, God has taken me, us, on quite a journey walking with him. For those of you that don’t know me, I grew up a “ChrEaster” (pronounced “cree-stir”). A fun term I learned a few years back. We attended church (for the most part) on Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday. What I knew of God, and His Son, was juvenile. I gave my life to Christ at Crooked Creek Ranch, a Young Life camp, in the summer of 2002. My pursuit, though wavering at times, has been honest. Conversely, my Heavenly Father is faithful and steadfast. That is who He is. His pursuit has never waned.
The past 10 years, well they’ve been a whirlwind. Some moments that almost stood still. Good and bad. I’ve cherished the moments that have felt like I could just die of jubilee. You know what I’m talking about. The times where your heart is leaping from your chest in unrestrained joy and you just want the moment to freeze. Breathe it in. Savor. And beg the Lord to not let it end.
I’m actually having one right now as I sit and reflect on His goodness and mercy.
So much to say… where to begin.
I must admit that’s where I’ve been these last couple of years. God stirred in me to begin this thing. He gave me visions of what He could do with it, but no clear path to “how” He would.
Paralysis.
I have struggled to do. One thing. Something. ANY thing.
Last year a stirring began again. I heard the Lord.
“Wait.”
At the time, confusion set in, but looking back now, how comforting it actually was. His timing is everything. I never want to get out ahead of what He is doing. But I also don’t want to squander what He has entrusted me.
And so Ecclesiastes.
“For everything there is a season.”
I could go line by line through those follow scripture verses and connect with each one, but that time is not now. The one I will call out though, is this:
“a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.”
Silent no more. The waiting is over. Much to come. There was most certainly a season of “wait.” Now God says, “go and do.”
All this to say I hope to be publishing much more frequently. It will be inconsistent, but more frequent. I will most likely get more out on my social media (love hate relationship – it’s complicated) via Instagram and Facebook.
My hope is that this is a dialogue. I invite your feedback and input. I will be taking polls and asking questions of YOU. Of course you’re always welcome to ask them of me.
Topics du jour:
– God, Jesus, salvation, eternity
– marriage: the good, the bad, the ugly
– relationships
– addictions and freedom
– health
– and many things in between
So – if you’re reading this, you’re probably already a subscriber here. And for that – Thank you!
Below are links to socials and an email icon. For now (until I learn more) you will have to email me if you’d like to be added to the email alerts. Thanks so much for your prayers and support. God is good. All the time. Even in those dark vallies. He remains the same. The Alpha and Omega. The Faithful One. Hallelujah!
My Seeds of Hope 