Season of Lilacs

As I glanced out of my window this morning, I came to the realization that the season of my lilacs are nearing their end.  Due to our weather in recent days, they are about 3 weeks behind in their cycle.

Each year that they come and go, I do a lot of reflecting, remembering, rejoicing, and re-living. 

It was this season five years ago that I missed the season of my lilacs completely.  It was in that season that my daughter found herself in the hospital facing death for the second time in her life.

The season of my lilacs continued on here without me.  When we arrived home, they looked much like they are looking this morning, and it reminds me...


It is a reminder to me of God's love.  They now symbolize memories of God's mercy. They are a visible witness to me of God's faithfulness, grace and healing power.

As I remember that year, I stand amazed at the way God carried me through. I see His hand so visible in areas that seemed so lonely, frightful and more than I could bear.

If you ask me how I made it through that time, I would have to tell you... it was not by my strength, power or anything of myself. It was by God's very mercy, grace and presence alone that each moment was faced with hope and faith in the sovereignty of my God.

Every year now, their beauty helps to refresh my perspective of what's truly important in life. They serve as an inspiration to count the little things in life as great blessings... to be grateful for the schedules, the tasks needing to be accomplished, the things needing to be done.

These things are stark reminders to me that those demands are needing to be accomplished for one reason... we are living.

Every season, with each glance out of my window...with each fragrant aroma inhaled, I am again brought to a brief quiet moment in my spirit where I realize and remember... I serve a great God whose character and goodness is beyond comprehension.

As we celebrate life being given fresh and anew to us five years ago, their season is a heart memory to me of what God walked us through and never left us to face alone.

We are now just two years away from when the doctor said she may need more surgery.  It may come sooner, it may come later... but it will most likely come.

The season of my lilacs serve as a reminder, that regardless of what comes... my God is a grace giving, mercy loving, all sufficient, wisdom containing God who leaves His fingerprints all over every situation that comes my way.

I will forever treasure lilacs and their season in my heart. My "Season of Lilacs" serve as a reminder to me of "A season God alone sustained me."

I've Been Having a Party and You Weren't Invited

Yep, I am realizing that I've been having a party and you weren't invited.  Actually I am glad I attended this party quite silently without inviting you.  It would not have been a party you would have wanted to attend, I guarantee it!

I do believe I have been having a pity party. 

When talking with a friend last week, she made a statement that has had me thinking (and convicted).  She mentioned that sometimes there comes a time when staying in our places of darkness, depression, ungratefulness, and on and on seems the most comfortable place to be. 

Sick as that sounds, the more I have thought about that, the more I realize that to be true.

Yes, there is a time to recognize loss, to grieve, to mourn the things of life as we have known them.

However, I have also been reminded that once that time has passed, staying in that place becomes comfortable because it causes my focus to turn inward which is where I feed the carnal, self-centered, self-focused place of me. 

To trust, to believe, to focus on others, to look for things to be thankful for in the midst of the difficult takes energy.  It takes sacrifice... of self. 

The final blow came when the following thought and challenge smacked me right between the eyes... 

"Instead of wallowing in what I can't have, I'm making the choice to celebrate what I can have."  ~~Lysa Terkeurst

She is talking about food, but it has been so much more for me.  I have been focusing on the "can't have's" in basically every situation in my life right now instead of the "can have's". 

And the party of that focus has not been a place to invite anyone to.

This realization is not an easy one to own.  It is humbling to admit.

But... in the realizing and admitting... a new energy has surfaced.  A renewed excitement for all that is happening and will be happening is beginning to take place.

Now, if you'll please excuse me.  I've got some party hats and streamers to put away. 

There is celebrating to be done, but it doesn't include a stagnant party of pity and wallowing in what I can't have.  Instead the celebrating is a focus, noticing and counting of all that I can have (and do have)! 

And in the considering and counting, it is turning out to be quite a celebration!

What about you?  Is there an area (or areas) that you've been considering all that you can't have instead of focusing on all that you can have in that given situation?  Maybe it's time for you to put away a party hat or two with me?...