To Everything There Is a Season

Every April the pink dogwoods in our front yard delight us with their prolific blooms! The whole process takes about a month--

barren branches develop hundreds of tight orbs

which gradually swell and open 

to reveal deep red blossoms 

that slowly fade to light pink 

before drifting lazily to the green lawn below.

This lavish display coincides with the flowering red and orange azaleas along the driveway! Our yard is a riot of color, testament to God's artistry. And then it is gone--leaving us to anticipate the annual event eleven months hence.

I love the seasons--from spring flowers to summer vegetables to autumn leaves. Even the drab gray of winter has its purpose. As the Scriptures say:

"There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace."

~Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There's an ebb and flow to life as we pass through the seasons. Are you struggling through a difficult season at the moment? Be assured, it will run its course. Your weeping will give way to laughter. 

"Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

The Promise of An End to Earthly Suffering. (And Then What?)

This morning, amid piles of furniture and clutter and dust, we cleared a spot in the living room and shared a bagel. Our house has been torn up for a week while installers finish the new floor. In the end, it will be worth it, but the days drag on.

Then I think of the Haitians who see no end to their displacement . . . or our neighbor who lies in bed waiting for an end to his suffering. What do you say to ease their pain? This, too, shall pass?

One way or the other, there will be an end to earthly suffering. And then what? 

For some, joy will come in the morning. But for those who haven't made peace with God, their future suffering will be far worse than anything they experienced on earth.

Brothers and sisters, forgive me for preaching . . . but we must not allow ourselves to become complacent where the souls of the lost are concerned. Like Noah, we must continue to tell an unbelieving world that judgment is coming . . . judgment that will make our earthly troubles seem as trivial as sharing a bagel in the living room. 
 
God's desire is that all should come to repentance. May we love the world even as He does!

The Promise of Joy!!!!

My friends, today I refer you to Susanne Lakin's wonderful post on the We CAN! blog at http://canblog.typepad.com/canbookmarketing/2009/12/my-entry.html#more. The post is called "Zoom Out" and it offers helpful insights on a promise from Psalm 30:5 which says "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

When do you find it hardest to believe that joy comes in the morning?