This picture was taken last October coming up the driveway to our house!Ecclesiastes 12:2-7 (The Message)
2. Honor and enjoy your Creator while you're still young,
Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes,
Before your vision dims and the world blurs
And the winter years keep you close to the fire.
3-5. In old age, your body no longer serves you so well.
Muscles slacken, grip weakens, joints stiffen.
The shades are pulled down on the world.
You can't come and go at will. Things grind to a halt.
The hum of the household fades away.
You are wakened now by bird-song.
Hikes to the mountains are a thing of the past.
Even a stroll down the road has its terrors.
Your hair turns apple-blossom white,
Adorning a fragile and impotent matchstick body.
Yes, you're well on your way to eternal rest,
While your friends make plans for your funeral.
6-7. Life, lovely while it lasts, is soon over.
Life as we know it, precious and beautiful, ends.
The body is put back in the same ground it came from.
The spirit returns to God, who first breathed it.
Are you ready for the seasons to change? I sure am, it has been really hot and dry here in southwest Missouri. God in His wisdom knew we would have to have changes in our life, didn't He? Some are good and some are bad, but I have learned even in the bad, there is a lesson I need to learn. We will always be in school, so to speak, until we go to Heaven. As this season comes to a close, I am reminded of the part of life I live in. You could say I am in the Autumn part. Spring and Summer are the first half of our life and then we go into the second part. This part is a little scary to me (may not be the best word to describe it) but according to the Bible, it should not be. How can we not notice though that our physical body begins to show some signs of wear and tear. We do begin the dying process the minute we are born. Life that is affected by how we treat our body, but the inevitable happens. We do get old, but here is the wonderful revelation for me to know that I am closer to God today than I was this time last year. My concerns and things that once was very important is not that big of a deal anymore. My focus stays on God more, I pray more and seek His Face more. This is growing in the grace and knowledge of God. So, will we face hard things as the seasons change? You better believe it, life is difficult and will always be. We will suffer like our Savior did and we don't know what we will face. I am being completely honest with you when I tell you, I have lots of growing to do. I am reluctant to say, "I am ready for whatever comes my way", or I don't dread somewhere in my spirit that I could have a disease or deal with pain, or wind up in a nursing home, or whatever. The list could go on and on. My point is, I don't know the future, but God does. I will take one day at a time and try to do the best I can. If any or all of these things happen to me, well it just will. I do know one BIG thing, though. God said He would never leave or forsake me! He said He would be with me till the end of my life here on earth. This brings peace in my heart! I wish I could say I have no fear, but that is not the truth. That is something I pray for and ask Gods help with daily. I hope I haven't rambled to much, this was on my heart this morning and I wanted to share it with you. I pray you have a blessed weekend! Always be thankful for the season you are in, don't have a mindset that when this or that happens,you will do more for God. Today is the day and maybe the only one we will have left!
