by Nan Jones @NanJonesAuthor
A gentle breeze rustled through the autumn leaves. Like a stained glass window, the forest was ablaze with crimson, amber, and shades of bittersweet high atop the grandest of trees.
Even the forest’s lowliest — the saplings and seedlings, the shrubs and underbrush — shouted glory with a last hoorah to life before the barrenness of winter consumed the colorful celebration.
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None was exempt.
Perhaps, if given the choice, none would choose exemption because each shrub, sapling, and tree seemed to have learned that in the rhythm of life, transitions are inevitable, outcomes with purpose the great reward. Perhaps they learned that yielding to an All-Knowing God brought beauty to each season, even the difficult ones.
We would do well to recognize the same and embrace with celebration the transitions of life rather than shun and resist them, for transitions of life occur from the grandest of folks to the lowliest and unlovely. None is exempt.
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To embrace is born of trust; to resist is born of fear.
To embrace acknowledges God’s sovereignty; to resist is to see circumstances and not God.
To embrace is to rely upon an on-time God whose timing is perfect and transitions are kept in His care.
To resist is simply foolish.
Before long, the kaleidoscope color of autumn will be gone. Stark, barren limbs will reach like skeletons to a winter sky. Roots will inch through the frozen soil, ever pressing, ever stretching toward the life-giving water.
And beauty will find it’s place on the barren trees of winter as snow glistens against their outstretched arms, while beneath the cold, hard surface life goes on and strengthens the tree.
It is a biblical thought that moisture such as dew, rain, and even snow is a symbol of God’s grace and blessing — His grace that is sufficient to carry us across the transition into the next season of life. What clearly is ordained by God — seasons, transitions, metamorphosis — is kept in His care. He tenderly moves His child forward — teaching, guiding, providing — accomplishing His will, answering our prayers, all in His perfect time.
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“Unanswered yet? Faith cannot be unanswered, Its feet are firmly planted on the Rock; Amid the wildest storms it stands undaunted, Nor shakes before the loudest thunder shock. It knows Omnipotence has heard its prayer, And cries, ‘It will be done’ — sometime, somewhere.” ~ Ophelia G. Browning
Are you in a life transition? Do things change quicker than you can keep up? Like me, do you resist change — especially change you have no control over? I am learning that if I stop trying to resist and figure out the transition, but instead trust in the goodness and sovereignty of God, then I can expect beauty regardless of circumstances. I can celebrate the season lived, the love lost, and expect beauty in my winter season.
The Lord makes all things beautiful in His time.
Selah
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You and I are defivpnitely thinking along similar lines lately, dear one!
There must be something in the water – haha! Actually, I think it comes with age and walking closely with the Lord for a long period of time, don’t you? He is teaching me so much, and I am so grateful.
Beautifully written. Needed this, thank you 🙂
Thank you Marcie. I’m so glad it ministered to you. It’s comforting to know that we all go through transitions and that the Lord is right there with us working everything together for our good and for His purpose.
There must be something in the water – haha! Actually, I think it comes with age and walking closely with the Lord for a long period of time, don’t you? He is teaching me so much, and I am so grateful.