Seasons of Life.....

What a start to my week!


I was whipped yesterday just feeling a bit under the weather for the past 3 days and then today I woke up and felt a ton better. I was thankful let me tell you. I still haven't run? ran? well you get the point but I hope to sometime tonight.

Well anyway, every Tuesday I have a group of dear sweet ladies to study the bible with and I have to say I really missed them and our studying over the past 2 weeks. We have been traveling so I haven't been in the last 2 weeks. Well, this week we finished up Colossians. It is such a great book and boy I really needed it.

Today however! I felt like that song, two steps forward and one step back... today was a step back. The word was just reminding of where I have been these past 2 years and where I am today. In some ways I feel like I've come out of the dessert and I'm just about to cross over the Jordan or you could imagine it this way, I've been through the pruning process and finally I'm starting to see new growth. Either way you look at it I've never experienced such a tough time in my life; in respect to my faith and my walk with the Lord.

I share that because man, today was just one of those days where I felt like, what the heck is wrong that I am not moving on faster. What is it that I'm not getting. I sat there with my friends and wanted someone to say, Melissa- this is how it is and you need to just ...blah blah blah...... well, you get the point.

What happened though was that I realized wow, I'm not alone. I think I cried more over the fact that I have sisters in Christ who are and have experienced this season of life. There was sharing and encouragement, some truth telling and prayer......

We all shared and today this is what I carried away from my time with my friends studying in the word.

1. We have to realize that discontentment comes from an unthankful heart and dwelling on what can't be. Thanks Kim and Deborah for sharing that- I really needed to hear that and I need to remember to take every thought captive.

one word shared was :
Ps. 16:5 in the NASB/ living translation : " The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup,/ You guard all that is mine."
I like the two portions together ? Not sure if I should do that but I like how they are translated. You can go and read them both... :)

this goes along with realizing that what ever stage of my spiritual growth and maturity I need to realize that God has portioned my cup. What and where I am at this stage of my life is because HE HAS GIVEN IT TO ME> So then, how much more should I be thankful! WOW what a word!

2. I can't keep looking back at where I've just come. I need to realize that I can not continue to bear fruit indefinitely. I have to go through all the stages. I mean, what tree or shrub keeps blooming all year round or produces fruit all year round. I don't know of one. So, why should I expect that I will just bloom for ever!

So, my word for me today is to remember Ecc.3:1
"there is an appointed time for everything. and there is a time for every event under heaven."

You know I'm glad I took a step back today. It was just a good reminder that I must keep my eyes on My Savior, remain faithful even when it seems so unfruitful and to remember- He is my portion and my living water.... In Him I am complete!

So friends I don't know where you are but I hope you won't be discouraged if you have taken two steps forward and one step back... just take the time to see how far you've come and what there is still to do.....

Having a GRATEFUL heart and ACCEPTING that every season has it's purpose!

Lord, sometimes I don't have the words to pray what my heart feels and my mind thinks. I know you know my deepest hurts and concerns. I know you know my sisters as well. I pray that today Lord we would just be encouraged that we are "kept" in your hands and that you are working in our lives and that at whatever stage we are currently in or season of life we may be in that We need to give thanks and learn what it is you have for us . Lord, give us the courage to walk according to your ways and give us opportunities to share with others what you are doing in our lives...

we love you and praise you Lord.
it is in your name I pray,
the Name of Jesus.
amen........