Learning the Ways of a New Season
Seasons come and go. Some slide in gently with a barely detectable whisper. Others roar in with the ferocity of a cyclone. Occasionally, there are unexpected seasons that catch a person unaware while other completely predictable seasons arrive just as they were anticipated with little fanfare or excitement. Whatever the season, there is always a bit of awkwardness that resembles the learning of a new dance. Unsure steps, tripping over feet, and what on earth do we do with our hands? These are the hallmark signs a new season has begun.
As so many others are navigating the unknown waters of new seasons, Abundance House is as well. One of our sweet daughters, Babbling Brooke, has gotten married and is navigating the waters of the newly wedded. My Beloved's father, our dear Papo, has recently gone on Home to Heaven ahead of us; we are now learning how to carry on our time on earth without him here. Also, our bravest, most darling warrior, My Beloved's 2-year-old great nephew is in the middle of cancer treatments.
Thank you for your love, prayers, and support as all of us together learn these new steps for the next dance in our lives with Jesus. Together we can extend grace and loving mercy to each other every day. The wastebasket may be filled with soggy tissues and our eyes may be sparkling with tears, but our hearts are flowing over with the love of God. He has loved us so perfectly in the most sorrowful of days. And in the middle of the tears, laughter too flows full and free. That is how the dance goes when memories float to the surface of our minds; hilarious laughter and heaving sobs are laced with single tears and quiet smiles. All of this while every day life flows on in its never-ending rhythm. Rocky rapids, swirling whirlpools, and babbling brooks all flow together into a river of God's great love and life.
The Word of the Lord stands true and strong. He has spoken, and from Him we receive comfort and strength. These are a few of the words with which He has been holding us close:
As so many others are navigating the unknown waters of new seasons, Abundance House is as well. One of our sweet daughters, Babbling Brooke, has gotten married and is navigating the waters of the newly wedded. My Beloved's father, our dear Papo, has recently gone on Home to Heaven ahead of us; we are now learning how to carry on our time on earth without him here. Also, our bravest, most darling warrior, My Beloved's 2-year-old great nephew is in the middle of cancer treatments.
Thank you for your love, prayers, and support as all of us together learn these new steps for the next dance in our lives with Jesus. Together we can extend grace and loving mercy to each other every day. The wastebasket may be filled with soggy tissues and our eyes may be sparkling with tears, but our hearts are flowing over with the love of God. He has loved us so perfectly in the most sorrowful of days. And in the middle of the tears, laughter too flows full and free. That is how the dance goes when memories float to the surface of our minds; hilarious laughter and heaving sobs are laced with single tears and quiet smiles. All of this while every day life flows on in its never-ending rhythm. Rocky rapids, swirling whirlpools, and babbling brooks all flow together into a river of God's great love and life.
The Word of the Lord stands true and strong. He has spoken, and from Him we receive comfort and strength. These are a few of the words with which He has been holding us close:
"Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by My name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God," Isaiah 43:1-3a
"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19
" The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations." Isaiah 61:1-4