HOME December 08-January 09

As I sit down to write this it is snowing.  Snow is one of those things that despite the coldness and grayness that it brings, it possesses a certain beauty that speaks to the soul.  It speaks of purity and of the hope that comes with Spring.  Sally Clarkson has written about the Seasons of a Mother’s Heart* and in it she speaks of winter being a season of reflection.  A time to ponder and rest in the hands of God.  It is during winter that we gain patience as we wait on the Lord.

It is rare in our modern world to sit and wait, to cease striving. But that is exactly what God wants us to do when we are brought to a season of winter in our lives. Those times when everything seems dead and despair lurks in every corner of our mind.  My natural response is to muster up all my human strength and try to fix whatever it is that I see is wrong – but God has another way and it involves relying on Him for the light that leads to life. (Read Isaiah 50:10-11 it is quite sobering.)

Yet, God does lead us out of winter to the hope of Spring. A season of renewal, a time of new beginnings. Our response should be one of joy but sometimes we hold on to winter. Joy is a choice and a mindset where we acknowledge God’s presence and His work in our lives.  One of the things that God does during the season of Spring is to change our will and align it with His. He is cultivating a heart that is dedicated to Him (Romans 12:1-2). Spring is full of beauty and delight.

Then comes Summer, a season of response, a time for building foundations and working for God’s glory.  Are we building our homes on solid, secure foundations (Proverbs 14:1)?  Are we sowing seeds of righteousness (Colossians 1:28)?  During this season, we are building Godly character into our children and modeling His character to them.  This is the time for us to strengthen our knowledge of and love for the Lord, teaching our children to really engage with the Word.

Fall is a season of resolve, a time to adjust our expectations.  We need to resolve to accept and adjust to the changes that transitions bring.  We also need to live free from guilt over our own limitations and give grace to our children for theirs (Romans 8:1-2).  We can mature in Christ, but who we are is not going to change. 

We are all in different seasons of our lives. Which season do you find yourself in?  Sometimes when you are in the winter season, it is difficult to be around those in Spring or even Summer, but God in His wisdom frequently places people in different seasons together, so that we can share the hope God has given us and be a help to one another.

I am hoping and praying that the HOME group can be a place where you can feel confident in the season God has you in (Phil 4:11-13). Sally’s book is designed to be a group study.  If you would be interested in delving into this topic more by joining a study group, please let me know.

Carolyn Martin, President of H.O.M.E.

 Philippians 4:11-13  Not that I speak in regard to need,  for I have learned in whatever state   I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.  Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be    hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 * Most of this article is a synopsis of her book and the conference of the same title.