These past couple of weeks have been full of honest heart checks and learning to embrace them while being at the brink of a new season. You see, there is just something about nature that always speaks volumes to me. I find myself staring at a flower and the power it holds to bloom or just how delicately and effortlessly a cloud can glide across the sky. I find the Lord’s greatness and how intentional He is in everything, especially in nature.
Like I said, my heart has been going through some honest and hard heart checks. I’m so wrapped up in awe of how my heart has been mirroring the time of this year. I don’t know if you know, but the weather has a strong pull on our behaviors, especially toddlers. I used to work at a daycare and I knew that if it was raining, my kids were going be all out of wack and act crazy! Weird, but true. As we grow older, we learn how to control our emotions, rather than the weather controlling us. Well, I think my body skipped right over that skill. *insert a little chuckle
In all honesty, the weather usually determines my mood. I love to smile and laugh. I truly enjoy life, but there is just something about winter that gets me. It has me in all kinds of feels. The shorter days get to me. I was born and raised in California and grew up by the beach with seventy degree weather all year. My family has been living in Arkansas for fifteen years and I still can not seem to get used to the cold. I love to be out and about, but during the winter I find myself hiding away in the comfort and warmth of my blankets.
I love the analogy of a seed. A seed has to be planted in order to grow. During the process to bloom, the seed has to break in order for a new stage in its life to begin. There is so much potential that the little seed holds in its belly, but it has to be willing to give up so much. It has to learn to be patient, but more importantly it has to look for the sun.
Just like the seed, my heart has been learning patience but above everything, I’ve been learning to look for the Son. You see these heart checks would be meaningless if I didn’t look for the Lord in middle of them. I’ve had to remind myself constantly to go to the feet of the Father. It is only there that I will find rest. Christ himself call us to his feet,
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” —– Matthew 11: 28-30.
I find so much rest in that. I believe that honest heart checks are essential for growth, especially in our Christian walk. But if I can be honest with you, they’re exhausting. I find myself tired and weary at the end of the night. You see, Christ never called us to do life on our own, rather that He would guide us and in our imperfections he would be glorified. His grace is sufficient for you and me. Just like that seed, I’m understanding that giving up so much IS worth it.
As I walked through my winter, I remind myself that the longer days are coming, the sun is only a ‘reach’ away. Just like the seed, I’m having to reach for the Son and believing, with every fiber of my being, that my creator is shining down on me.
I love the song by Israel Houghton,
“It’s a new season, it’s a new day.
A fresh anointing is flowing my way
It’s a season of power and prosperity
It’s a new season coming to me”
Declare that today. Believe with me. Trust in His sovereignty.
From one vulnerable heart to another,
Diane
P.S. Happy first day of Spring!
It really is a new season 😉
