There's a cool nip in the air as falling leaves do their autumn dance. I love the fall but I don't look forward to the cold, gray winter. It won't be long. Temperatures are already dipping into the thirties overnight. We will set the clocks back in a couple of weeks. I will miss the light evening sky as I drive home from work.
I already miss sitting amongst my flowers; they are beginning to wilt in the night time chill.
Though I try to look for the positive things, change is hard. It's inevitable but often not welcome. I face changes everyday and how I embrace them will affect me. Watching my sisters face their divorces and losing my dad has been a huge adjustment. We had his burial service earlier this week, almost three months after his death. It wasn't surprising that today I was a little emotional.
After the burial on Monday and a stressful week at work that didn't allow for any let down, today my emotions are in a tailspin. I know it is never as simple as one thing. Many factors can contribute to my faltering emotions. Yet, I know God is with me. He knows what I struggle with even better than I know myself. He offers comfort in His presence. He knows my frame and He gives me the grace to sort it out as I lean on Him. But, it's important that I give myself the grace too.
This weekend I have extended grace to myself by not fretting about the housework. I took a long nap. And though our church had many things happening this week due to our missions conference, I allowed myself to create some margin in my days. I am not very good at not feeling guilty, but this weekend I knew I needed some down time.
Change.
Difficult. Inevitable.
Winter comes. Yet, in the bleak times there is hope. It may seem like we are hidden in a dark tomb but He promises the resurrection. Spring for the soul.
Do life's changes put you into a tailspin? How can you give yourself grace, knowing that God knows everything you are facing?
Thankful that He knows my frame (what I am made of),
Jeanne
“Just as a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.”
Psalm 103:13-14 (NAS)
Jeanne, I love what you wrote today. Leaves doing their autumn dance. I like that. Today dog and I walked to the nearby pond. I too needed some time to decompress. This last year has been tough for you and I both. Jesus would have us come aside and rest awhile, I think. I no longer feel the guilt instilled by my mother's mantra "Idle fingers are the devil's workshop." Today, I can rest by reading your blog and those of others. I really enjoyed my own little reader's blog tour. I love your picture, so restful. Is it new? Praying for you as you allow yourself the time and space to grieve the loss of your dear father. Blessings, Cass
ReplyDeleteLove you Jeanne.
ReplyDeleteJeanne,
ReplyDeleteRest is ordained by God and a very good thing in life. Enjoy yours. Soak up time in the Lord. I know He's with you, comforting you and bringing peace in trying times.
I find I need as much rest as the next person. I'm not ashamed to tell others I'm unavailable for the day while I spend time with the Lord and restore my soul.
My sympathies are with you! As are my prayers! Love the scripture verse you ended with!
Thank you for your encouraging words, Alycia. I would love to be unavailable for about a week or maybe two :)
ReplyDeleteAlas, I have to work this week :)
Jeanne
Jeanne,
ReplyDeleteHow do you keep on doing this? (Or should I say, how does the Holy Spirit keep on doing this?) Last week, I sat in church with tears in my eyes because of this verse. There is something so touching about God knowing how fragile we are.
Thanks for another lovely post.
Hugs,
Laurel
Laurel,
ReplyDeleteThe heart of this verse touches me deeply as well. To think that the God of the Universe who set the stars in the sky, gave the sun to warm us, and by the power of His Spirit raised Jesus from the dead on the third day, actually knows everything about me....I am awed by it.
He is our heavenly Papa.
Hugs back,
Jeanne