Saturday, October 22, 2011 - Time Keeps on Slippin' into the Future . . .

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven"  Ecclesiastes 3:1    

     Ahh! All Mama's (Coco's) chicks are under my wings again. I've craved having Julie in the kitchen with me, talking and looking forward to dinner. I can't get enough of watching my sweet son-in-love, Nick, send Addy into squeals of giggles with his playfulness. And, Addy's own precious glowing smiles and copy-cat noises send me over the top.  She added icing on the cake bay zealously attacking the toy I gave her. She's here, she's happy, she's healthy and for the next week, I get to feel her soft skin next to mine and personally experience her vibrant bursts of excitement. 
    One week: the thought can bring the greatest delight, frustration, or sadness. For a visit with Adalyn, Julie and Nick, a week can't satisfy this mama hen's heart, but a week at the hospital with a sick child or a week of loneliness can feel like an eternity. We've all taken on too much for a short term by thinking, "I can do anything for a ____________ (day, couple of days, a week, a month)." We survive those challenging times because we know they won't last.  
     Our God Who knows us better than we know ourselves divided the days from the nights, gave us the moon to measure months, and assigned us only a certain number of years on earth. He knows we're overwhelmed by too much at once and would waste time if time were limitless. He calls us to live for Him and love Him and other people in this moment.  He asks us to trust Him for strength and courage to face the big challenge of this day. Then, the day passes and we look back to see where we are in our faith walk. Did we hang on and now we can move on in deeper faith? Or, did we cave in to that one second of temptation and regret our weakness?  When we learn to love Him in the seconds and moments, He arranges the weeks, months and years into a unique mosaic of fulfilled purpose filled with His deeply satisfying Presence and pleasure.  

"I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength."

Philippians 4:13

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing

with the glory that will be revealed in us."

Romans 8:18

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him,

who have been called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

Romans 8:37

Father, thank You for the precious moments, the golden hours. Thank You for days, months, seasons and years; for beginnings and endings. You know the dosages of joy, challenge, and sorrow each of us needs to become a person who glorifies You. Guide us to let You arrange our seasons. Fill us with hope for a life spent loving and honoring You. We praise You, God, for You ordain every moment of our lives - not on a whim - but with eternal purpose.

In the Name of Jesus Who fulfilled His purpose on earth in 33 years and Who will reign in heaven eternally!