Monday moment! A couple of weeks ago, I started preparing my gardens for the long winter months ahead. I harvested, pruned, cut back, dumped pots of flowers, and brought my house plants inside to protect them from the cold.
I pulled weeds, stored my tools away, washed empty pots, and rolled up hoses.
For me, it was the end of something that I enjoy immensely…and the beginning of something that I tend to dread every year...WINTER.
Winter has always been a rather sad time for me…it’s a time when everything stops…changes…takes a rest.
It’s a time void of color; green leaves, blooming flowers…and sunshine.
It’s cold…it’s dreary…it’s dark!
But God always has a way of reminding me that winter is not the end…it is a new beginning.
I see color in the red cardinal at my birdfeeder… I see life in the little squirrel scampers across my lawn in search of hidden treasures… I see the future in the deer that strolls past with her new baby fawn. And I see beauty in my Christmas cactus that bloomed for the first time in years.
Each beautiful moment is a reminder from God…that from out of the darkness…comes beauty.
This year has been a “season of darkness” for most of us. We have pruned, cut back, dumped, weeded, stored away, and rolled up hoses. But we cannot settle in and allow the dread and darkness to overtake us.
Instead, we must plant…and dream…and plan…and believe…and rest…and emerge a new creation…stronger and better than before!
Rest, plan, dump, cut back, weed, store away, prepare the soil, plant more seeds, cultivate, and get ready to reap a great harvest!
During this season of darkness, the most important thing that we can do is REST. These trying times are so difficult...and all that we should expect from ourselves is our best. Not someone else's best...our best! We all travel different paths.
Take this time to plan, to prepare, to re-think how you do ministry. It will look different for each of us. Do not allow the circumstances around you to define who you are or how effective you are.
God asks us to serve...He asks us to share His word. He does not expect us to perform miracles...that is His job.
Do your best and let God do the rest!
There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3
Have a super blessed day...and remember, we serve a mighty big God!
Praying for you always!