The ministry of Nature

Fall proceeded it's arrival date this morning, because who really ever comes when they are told? Even babies got the memo that coming when expected is not trendy. Either way, I'm in need of this new season. Not just because I am proudly apart of the yoga-pants wearing, PSL gang (or mob rather...), not because my mums look so beautiful to come home to, but because my heart sometimes needs such a tangible change, one that I can see, touch, and feel and sappily be reminded that the God of the universe creatively and faithfully causes that change. By seeing this, he does things to my heart.

As I type on my balcony with a big smile on my face (like the coo-coo my neighbors already know I am), I have such a joy this morning. I don't have some new, life altering or prophetic word to give you, but one of old that stings sweetly.
God knows when we need change, darlings. He knows when we desire it, and when we hate most to see it "invade". He is faithful to bring the seasons as a reminder of that...constant....revolving...blooming...dying life cycle he has woven into His life design. The seasons declare it, our lives replicate it, and the days even begin and end.

But on this particular September morning, I needed some things to die in my heart. Selfishness has taken some deep roots in my heart recently, and bloomed rather rapidly, fiercely, and out of control. You know, the kind of people who, on a whim, decide to start a garden, which therefore creates a jungle in their yard? Yeah, that kind. Ugly thorns, weeds, and all. I needed to see some selfishness wither with that cool breeze, and change into something orange, crisp, blowing right on by. Orange isn't here just yet, but yellow has turned the tips, and orange is not far off, friends. What change do you need this season?

From the Great Poet himself:

"There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. "

- Ecclesiastes 3:1-12

The ministry of Nature

At the risk of inconsistency, I have decided to embark upon a new blog. Recently my heart has been pulsing,"write, Write, WRITE!" With a foot remaining on each side of the fence, I am deciding to step over onto the less protected side. Writing has not always been such a daunting task in my eyes; but as of recent, I must admit I am a little fearful of vulnerability. On that note, I will not be sharing this blog completely publicly on facebook or any further social media for personal reasons. So, if you are reading this, I have invited you into my messy heart a little deeper than surface. Obligation is not allowed here, so read as you wish and skip as you may :).

The thing is, I'm not quite sure what I have to say or offer. But, more than a maybe stirs in me that the opportunity to relate, encourage, and be encouraged to Jesus is well worth the risk. 

The title of my blog is relevant to me in this chapter of my life. It serves as a reminder that God will provide the strength of what we need, and we must clench to it for dear life, feel it in our hands, trust it, and refuse to let go.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14

With Love, 

Phoebe