Today, God
gave me another spiritual
revelation that healed me from a bad attitude about not having the
landscape around me full
of green growing things this year during the winter months like I did in
Southwest Florida for twenty years.
Prior
to living in SWFL, I lived in PA for eight years, I got used to cold and
wearing layers of clothing; so this winter in Illinois, I used the same
strategies to stay warm.
I also
made kaleidoscopes while in PA to have color in the winter. This was to prevent
Seasonal Affectedness Disorder (SAD); and I used them here, to my soul's
delight, this year as well.
But,
this year, the Lord also told me to look for the beauty in the bare branches of
the trees, and I saw many interesting and beautiful designs in the barren
branches - very delightful patterns and flowing movement.
Although
it is spring now and green growing things surround us, today the Lord gave me
another lesson through a botany site online, for the reason for bare limbs in the
winter months.
The
unobstructed sun reaches the forest floor when the canopy of trees shed their
leaves in the fall and stay bare all winter. Other plants that thrive in the
winter can take advantage of the direct, unobstructed sunlight during this
frigid time of the year.
Similarly,
during times of trials in our life, when circumstances are barren and cold, we
have closer access to the Son of God than at any other time in life.
I personally
learned Solomon's conclusion today: To everything there is a season under
heaven. I think my attitude next winter will be greatly improved, because of
what I learned in PA and IL during the winter months.
Prayer:
Father God,
thank You for providing Jesus to die for our sins, and to give us a regenerated
life. We bask in Your love by Your Spirit during every season of the year and
of our aging process. Remind us to look for Your leading and reasons for our
life regardless of our limitations caused by our aging body and the
restrictions caused by our living situation.
We want to
glorify You when we have the warmth of the Son as well as the storms of life's
circumstances. We trust You alone and we strive to enter Your rest through all
the changes we experience in life. We give You all the praise, glory and honor
as we adjust to new living conditions and as we thrive where You plant us and
provide for our every need.
Thought for
the Day:
When
our days are filled with green growing things and positive aspects, we do not
get the full brightness of God's Son's love peace and joy like we do during the
frigid, barren times.
