Different Seasons And Times

Yesterday I managed to get my thoughts on “Need a Second Opinion” ready for my scheduled post for today on the International Christian Fiction Writers blog. Unfortunately on my first attempt at publishing it I had not scheduled it correctly to the agreed upon time that suits the northern hemisphere and for a brief few minutes in was on the blog site.  

My sincere apologies to Christine Lindsay for taking the place of her post for that brief time! Fortunately I’ve learnt not to trust my ability at blogging so did check and was horrified to see it already published. I did remove it as quickly as I could and now my post there is scheduled to be published instead at 2am US Pacific time which should be 9pm tonight Eastern Australian time! At least I think it is but never quite sure because of the summer daylight saving here and there and changes everywhere!

The devastating storm damage suffered by millions of Americans this week really brought home to me that as we enter our third month of spring, the northern hemisphere is in the last month of autumn and yet have already had a heavy snow storm as well as a hurricane. In Tasmania we too often get early winter conditions in the last month, May, of our autumn and I am thankful our days are now becoming warmer – even if snow was forecast this last week on the mountains in Tasmania.

 

 

Each year, this tree beside the road we often travel on to Beaconsfield a short distance from our home shows the changes of seasons.

It looked so sad when it was just bare branches until a few weeks ago so only took photos during my favourite seasons – autumn and spring. This one of pale green was taken a few days ago. Each day those  leaves will darken and in another few weeks will cover the tree in a thick canopy of green for summer over our Christmas and New Year period.

May those currently in a harsh and bare winter “season” of devastation in America soon see the brilliant colours of autumn as the “trees” prepare for the spring and promise of new beginnings.

I am just so glad that the “seasons” of my life, my “times”, are and will be forever safe in the loving hands of my Heavenly Father no matter what happens.

Oh, and the photo at the top is of a "season" we enjoyed in beautiful England back in 2005. It was a season of many rich blessings

Do  view my post on the ICFW blog later tonight by clicking HERE

Life's Hurricanes

Why was this written many years ago? The reason is forgotten now!

However, people still experience similar ‘hurricanes’ in their lives. The questions raised are similar in nature. May the answers be found from the same source – God’s Word and His grace which never lets us go.
We need to remember Lamentations 3:21-25 (NIV) :

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;

From out of nowhere it came. Sweeping across my life with the ferocity of a hurricane, it caused widespread devastation. Emotional wreckage lies strewn amidst the physical pain. I’m powerless, speechless, miserable.
Voices within and around call me to curse you, Lord!

They taunt me with your unfairness. Their words are like swords piercing the heart as they belittle your goodness and grace.
My tears burn as they fall. Weariness overwhelms.

Aftershocks batter my spiritual life. O God, unbelief is trying to undermine trust in your love and holiness.
I feel as though I am drowning in the deluge.
I cannot hold onto you.
Lord, don’t let me go.
In my numbness I feel you not. Your word is all I can take hope in.

Silence my lips from making rash comments about you or life’s circumstances.
Wipe the mist from my eyes.
I need to see beyond the moment and behold your faithfulness and purposes.

As the hurricane spends itself across my life, let it not smash me to the ground. Be the strength of my being. Let me stand true to you, surrounded though I be by broken dreams, unanswered questions, uncertainty of action.
From my quivering lips and burdened mind may I truthfully share to any who will listen, “God is Good. His mercy endures forever!”

I understand not that which has come to pass.
What I know and by an effort of my will I seek to do.
I bow before You and seek to honour You in and through it all.

The hurricanes that surrounded me all those years ago have now calmed. There may be more ahead but now I am even more certain of the Lord who loves me and can say with even more certainty:

“Great is Your faithfulness!”

Ray (still sheltering in God’s high tower) Hawkins.

©R.N.Hawkins