Seasons of Change

Good morning, my friend!  Good morning, Father!

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

A couple nights ago, I was texting with a most beloved friend in the middle of the night.  She lives in a different state, a long distance away.  For her it was late evening.  For me, it was very early morning of the following day.  Just like for us, we were in different parts of the day and even on different days on the calendar, so Your children are in different seasons of life, Lord.  I thank You that You stagger our trials and tribulations, so we might be available to be of comfort to one another.  Oh, what a mess we would be were we to all fall at the same time, so there would be no one left standing to help us up.  I praise You for the ingeniousness of Your plan, that even in the timing of trials and tribulations, You arrange our community so there is always someone who is standing who can help us to our feet and speak encouragement.

Father, I lift up my friend.  In the areas of their life where they are being tested or are experiencing grief and pain, I ask that You will give them eyes and a heart that are willing to see their blessings, and the good in a season that feels primarily bad.  You place oases of good in our lives to refresh us so we don’t expire in the desert.  Father, when discouraged, it is tempting to say that there are no oases.  We shut our eyes tightly in anger, that a good God would have us in the desert in the middle of summer.  Help them to be willing to open their eyes and look for the nearby oasis.  Send others who will call out to them in the desert and show them where the goodness in their wasteland can be found.

Father, for the areas in their life that feel fresh, hopeful and blessed, and spring is still blooming.  Help them to enjoy it, and to tuck the memories away in their heart.  Help them to realize that while they are in spring, their neighbor may be in the middle of a harsh season.  Help them to offer compassionate and sensitive encouragement, help and hope to their neighbor.  


Bring strong community around them where they can encourage and be encouraged.  “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” - Ecclesiastes 3:1.  I ask for wisdom and a journal to record their blessings in the spring, shade and refreshment in their summer, eyes to see the beauty instead of grief in the falling of the autumn leaves, and shelter, a warm blanket, and their journal of blessings to read by the fire in winter. Through the good and bad, bless their seasons, Lord.  May they lift others and be lifted.  And may they praise You through it all.  In Jesus Name ❤️

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