I love the colors of Fall, the crisp morning air, a blazing fire in the fireplace in the evening, fresh apples and the smell of anything baked with pumpkin and spices.
The colors of nature in this season: the oranges, yellows, reds call to something deep within me that I don't fully understand. I have been known to pull to the side of the road to just sit and soak in the beauty of it. That in itself sort of surprises me, because I don't like orange. I don't think that I even own anything that is orange.
But, I do have a creator God who will take colors from his palette, double load his brush, step back and say, "Watch this! I hope you love it."
Then he paints a landscape that takes my breath away.
Maybe that's why I struggle at times in the Fall. The season that makes me want to pause and dwell in the creative genius of God is also the season where my schedule picks up quickly. Even though I'm back at it, inwardly I find myself fighting it. I'm not ready for all that this season brings.
So, maybe this blog entry is really for my benefit alone. He is reminding me of his continual presence and of the way he blesses me by showing a smidgen of his power for my eyes to behold while here in my temporary home.
Psalm 104:32 says, " May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works - who looks at the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke."
Kidney stone - "Trust me"
Unemployment - "Trust me"
Unsettled heart - "Trust me"
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Trusting in the Waiting
Last January I remember talking with a friend about the new year of 2010. I mentioned that I had this sense of some kind of adventure awaiting Dale and me. It was hard to put my finger on what it really was, an uncertainty or unsettledness if there is such a word.
Less than 3 months later, Dale was unemployed - his position eliminated.
And so the adventure began.
He enjoyed having the Spring and Summer off to spend time outside finishing projects and gardening again for the first time in years. We drove to Montana 2 times and also went camping with my parents and my brother, Terry, and his wife, Sandy.
Every week he was filling out many job applications and sending out resumes and trying to follow up on them. But he got no response, only rejection letters. For the first time in 6 months he actually had an interview last week. Woohoo!
Thankfully, I am now back working at a local high school.
As I write this I am sitting in a hospital room waiting for Dale...
- a new adventure.
Just over 2 weeks ago Dale found out that he has a kidney stone - a large one. He was to have it removed this morning, but...God had a different plan "A". With the Dr. unable, after many tries, to do what was necessary to prepare to actually remove the stone, Dale is now with an "intervention radiologist" who will hopefully help make it easier for the urologist to try again in retrieving the stone in 2 days. (I'm deliberately leaving out the graphic details.)
I know that this was God's plan from the beginning
I know that God still loves us.
And... I know that I've got to get out of this little windowless room! The sun is shining and I'm going for a walk to the lake.
God is good... all the time.
I know that I can trust Him in the waiting.
Less than 3 months later, Dale was unemployed - his position eliminated.
And so the adventure began.
He enjoyed having the Spring and Summer off to spend time outside finishing projects and gardening again for the first time in years. We drove to Montana 2 times and also went camping with my parents and my brother, Terry, and his wife, Sandy.
Every week he was filling out many job applications and sending out resumes and trying to follow up on them. But he got no response, only rejection letters. For the first time in 6 months he actually had an interview last week. Woohoo!
Thankfully, I am now back working at a local high school.
As I write this I am sitting in a hospital room waiting for Dale...
- a new adventure.
Just over 2 weeks ago Dale found out that he has a kidney stone - a large one. He was to have it removed this morning, but...God had a different plan "A". With the Dr. unable, after many tries, to do what was necessary to prepare to actually remove the stone, Dale is now with an "intervention radiologist" who will hopefully help make it easier for the urologist to try again in retrieving the stone in 2 days. (I'm deliberately leaving out the graphic details.)
I know that this was God's plan from the beginning
I know that God still loves us.
And... I know that I've got to get out of this little windowless room! The sun is shining and I'm going for a walk to the lake.
God is good... all the time.
I know that I can trust Him in the waiting.