I've been there...

I've taken quiet a break! I had to take time to reflect on things that were going on in my life. Some that were difficult, some that were wonderful, but I've just needed to reevaluate. Time to think about the ups and downs of this journey we call life. Why do we experience the events that we do? How do we handle them? Sometimes with grace and dignity, others withdrawn and quiet and still others with rage and resentment. What I've come to understand is that there is a reason for everything we endure, be it good or bad. His Word says so...
"There is time for everything, and a season for ever activity under the heavens:
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 time 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, 
a time to embrace and time to refrain from embracing, 
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." Ecclesiates 3:1-8
I've often thought that the beauty in life was only found in the good times. However, as time goes by, I'm not so sure. I'm beginning to think that true beauty is found as we overcome the struggles. "He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiates 3:11 I think it is during those dark hours when a loved one, a friend, even a stranger embraces you with the knowledge of understanding. Just those words...."I've been where you are and I understand...." There are times that those few words give more power to the grieving or the hurting than we may ever know. I've been there....I've heard them. What great comfort it gave me to know that someone understood. This is why, I firmly believe, we have to embrace every situation that is thrown at us and use it bring glory to our Father...good and bad. We've all been there... we've been on the mountaintops and we've been in the valleys. It is what we choose to do with them that counts. Do we become hardened and inaccessible or do we truly use all things to bring Him honor?

We "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 but I think God can even find beauty in our shortcomings....when we turn them over to Him and allow Him to use them to further His Kingdom. I'm so thankful that I serve such a gracious Father. That He can make ALL things beautiful....wherever I've been or whatever I've done. It is necessary for the glorious changes in the seasons for us to fully appreciate the beauty and magnitude or our Maker's incredible creation. Extend yourself the same grace....it is through the different seasons in our lives that we can fully comprehend the beauty of the Creator's handiwork in us!

My prayer is that we will all learn to except who we are, what we've done and where we've been,  knowing that our Father does. That our past is what makes us who we are today, but it doesn't enslave us. God can and DOES use everything for His good just as it says in Romans 8:28 "We know that ALL things work together for the good of those who love God." I pray for our ability to lift our heads, extend our hands and through our lives (however messy) pull others into the all encompassing, gracious Kingdom of the Heavenly Father.

Until next time....