Season’s Purpose

Changes Revealed

Phot~pixabay

Pixabay

This time of the year brings a breath-taking transition to our surroundings as emerald-green leaves turn a myriad of gold, orange, and crimson for all to behold.

Not so in my neck of the woods. This year, the oak trees have decided to skip that particular process and turn a sickly greenish-brown just before falling to the ground. Sigh.

I felt robbed of the autumnal experience until I remembered the purpose of the transition is growth. Still, that didn’t help the way I felt as I frantically searched for a little color each day.

But then, while wading through leaves to water the flowers yesterday, the Spirit of the Lord gently reminded me that even when we understand the reason, we often lose sight of the beauty.

Beauty Revealed

Photo~pixabay

Photo~pixabay

Ahh. There are seasons our colors shine for all to see as we demonstrate strength, long-suffering, humbleness, love, or even joy in the midst of excruciating pain. But then, there are seasons when our ugly greenish-brown comes out as God strips away the old.

Our secrets are exposed. Our faults and failures revealed. We feel naked to the world. We become vulnerable. We question ourselves and everything around us. We search for someone to blame. Angry, we storm the gates of Heaven for answers. Nothing. We wait. Winter sets in. There’s no solace as we face the icy winds and rains. Our foundation is shaken.

Photo~Wikipedia Public Domain

Photo~Wikipedia Public Domain

We try to regain some normalcy in our lives as we stubbornly continue to forge ahead. We watch as the days turn into months, and months into years. And when it seems, we have reached our limit and feel we cannot go on, the sod beneath us begins to warm. Our roots stretch to take new ground. Our branches stand taller bursting with new growth. And once again, we are arrayed in His purpose, beautiful in His sight.

Purpose Revealed

Are you in a season of glorious color or sickly greenish-brown? Both have their purpose, Beloved. Both have their beauty.

It’s easy to focus on the surroundings when God wants us to open our eyes to the miraculous process taking place within us. In Second Kings, the servant of the man of God awoke to an army surrounding the city with horses and chariots. When he asked the man of God what they were going to do, Elisha told him to “fear not” and then he prayed.

And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha (2 Kings 6:17 KJV).

A Seasonal Prayer

Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver~wikicommons

Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver~wikicommons

Lord, during this season of transition, I pray that You would open our eyes to the beauty of Your purpose in us. Help us to not focus on the situation, but the outcome. Strengthen us for the journey. Instill in us a determination to make it, no matter the obstacles we must face. May we be reminded, Your grace is enough for every season and Your power is made perfect in our weakness. May we grow in grace and shine forth as a beautiful, fruitful testimony of Your incredible faithfulness in the lives of Your children. And for all of this, I offer You thanks. In Christ’s name, I pray, Amen.

Bible Journaling – Leaving A Legacy

journal-431912_1920Do you journal? Bible journal?

Reading the Bible is one of the most important things we can do as children of God. We are encouraged as we find hope nestled among His story. Through the written Word, we learn of God’s love for us. And we experience a change in our lives as we apply the truth written on the pages.

Making It Personal

This past week, I found a new way of making my time spent studying even more personal. Bible Journaling Art! Of course, those who follow me on Pinterest already know this. Sorry. 🙂

Some of you may not write in your Bibles. I do. My life is written on every page.  In fact, my son has said he was going to place it under glass when I die. And then, when he wants my opinion about something, he’ll look it up. He was ten-years-old at the time. 🙂

Still, as a twenty-something and an eighteen-year-old, my two kids love my Bible because it is part of me. My notes are a witness to them. The scribbled images tell of God’s faithfulness it “my” life. Even though, they have lived through my struggles, my pain, and my victories, they have my written account of God’s promises concerning my life.

Until this comment sprang from my child’s lips, I’d never thought of how important it is to leave a testimony along the side of the scriptures I was studying. Before, I had written a short note about what I was going through or what I was praying about. Sometimes, I even drew small pictures. But, I’d never thought of making it my own through art. Wow.

Getting Started

Don’t know how to draw? Don’t worry. There are sites to show you how to get started drawing, using stickers, or the Bible to buy.

But I’m not buying a new Bible to begin this journey, I’m using my current Bible. I’m emotionally attached to this one. Over twenty years, we’ve traveled together and I don’t plan to change now!

It’s hardback, 8 ½ x 11 inches with large print, and doesn’t have the wide note-taking columns like the suggested Bible. But, I have enough space for my purpose. Leaving a legacy.

Another thing I’m not going to do is you heavy paint. I will stick to coloring pencils. By using the pencils, I can color over the text and still be able to read through it. I suggest before you begin to look at some of the sites and Youtube videos. People share their likes and dislikes of supplies. And why make a mistake when you can watch or read them? 🙂

Something else I would suggest is to go slow. I am a tad OCD. So, the artwork will have to be organized. The letter exact. So caution. Once it’s there, it’s hard to remove.

Why art?

I’m so glad you asked. Because as learners, we all learn in different ways. My daughter, Lindsay is a visual learner. She loves creating beautiful things. As a six-year-old, she would write notes and draw pictures for family members. But as she grew she stopped. And though, she has learned to love reading, it isn’t the same if her hands aren’t involved.

Now, Levi is a reader. He loves words. He doesn’t need the visual. But Lindsay…well, it has to become personal with her. The story must touch her. She has to own it. (Don’t we all?)

Her face lit up when looking at the Pinterest boards. She has embraced this new idea of learning. She is now collecting ideas and supplies to begin her journey.

Making It Visual

Adding color to your favorite scriptures is not only fun but beneficial.

It makes the Bible personal.

It draws the eye to the scripture.

It causes you to meditate on the scripture while you’re illustrating.

It is relaxing.

It is gorgeous to look at.

It leaves behind your thoughts on that particular scripture.

 

Learn More

Bible Art Journaling Challenge

Sentiments and Scrapbook

Time Warp Wife

The Cupcake Caravan

You can also follow these on Pinterest! Check out their gorgeous, eye-popping boards.

Free Resources

Free Bible Art Journaling

Sharing

So, do you write in your Bible? Do you know someone who would enjoy Bible journaling?

 

 

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Trust His Heart

Rainbow TreeThis weekend I was reminded of God’s faithfulness to His children as I watched my friend smiling and laughing with a friend he hadn’t seen since his surgery. It was a happy reunion as the two—like schoolboys—caught up on old news.

Both are walking testimonies. Both have had open heart surgery. The elder—in his eighties—has been in and out of the hospital this past year. Twice, we’ve feared for his life. Yet God decided his journey wasn’t over. The younger, not feeling well, was diagnosed with a 100% blockage of the widowmaker earlier this year. Needless to say, God was indeed the strength of his heart. He is doing well. Thank you for your prayers.

On the other hand, I’ve watched several family members grieve the loss of a loved one who unexpectedly slipped from this world. Yet, through their struggles, God is still faithful in the midst of their heartache.

Why does He choose to leave some, while others are taken? I don’t know. But, I do know one thing. He has my best interest at heart. He loves me and wants the very best for me. So, with each heartache comes a choice. Do I trust Him when I can’t see His purpose?

Easy? Sometimes. Other times, not so easy. At times, trusting Him has been the hardest thing to do. But through my heartaches, I’ve held on to His promises like a drowning man clinging to a life-preserver.

His ways are higher

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

I am not alone

“for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5b

I will find comfort in Him

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18

I will see my loved one again

Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection, and the life:” John 11:25

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” 1 Thessalonians 4:16

I have hope

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

 

Yes, I have hope in Him. I may not always see His hands or know His thoughts. But I can always trust His heart.