Happy autumn, to you. In general, I am indifferent to the
changing of seasons. Sure I miss the old one, but I’m always ready for the new
one. However, I have never been so ready for a new season, than this autumn.
(mi familia, hermanas, hermano, dada, mama)
Summer brought about more than just its fair share of
trials, frustrations, transitions and changes. It has been the roughest season,
by far. And as a result of this season, I find myself feeling distant from God,
stuck in this place of frustration and at a loss for most of the things going
on.
(a re-kindled friendship, when I needed it the most)
But with the help of dear friends, a devotional book and
some prayer, I came to discover that my feeling of distance from the Lord is a
lie. In fact, it is quite the opposite.
(a work of the Lord celebrated)
He is the one that endure the most painful suffering of all,
on our behalf, on my behalf. Jesus is no stranger to separation from the Father
because He was separated so we wouldn’t have to be.
(flowers that celebrate & ease the pain)
In his darkest hour, Jesus, cried out “My God, my God, why
have you forsaken me?” One, so that we would always be connected to the Father
and two, because those words give us grace, even in the darkest hours. The confusion of what the Lord is doing, in these words, turn into hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dim
it may be.
(sisters reunited when we needed each other)
Harvest season is a time to enjoy the fruit produced from a
previous season’s patience, care and perseverance. But it is also a time, when
the crops are stripped bare for fresh fruit in the season to come. I feel that
I am the stripped branch, completely bare and waiting for new fruit to bud.
(a friend & sister taken, but not forgotten)
While I may be stuck in this cold, barren, confusing,
frustrating place, I look to the future when I will see what the Lord was doing
during this time. When I will see His perfect plan in all of it. When beautiful
flowers will bloom because of the pruning of my heart. When this world will be
shed of pain and suffering because of sin. When He will wipe away every tear
and there will be no more crying.
(the reward of a day's perseverance & suffering)
I long for the place that is my eternal home, but know that
there is purpose in the suffering and pain that we experience while we are in
our temporary homes.
*pictures in this blog are some of the things (& people) that have
given me hope and other things (& people) that bring an ear-to-ear smile, sometimes with
tears streaming my face...
