A Farewell to Charms...

of Summer

Yes, we say goodbye to those "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer...🎶" ( Nat King Cole, remember?) of 2022. It has been a summer of record heat, even here in South Dakota. But as the days of September draw to a close, we have had some wonderful rains which have revived my flowers & coaxed more produce from my garden, which was planted late this year due to so many interruptions, some good & fun, some grieving & unexpected, the kind that knock you off your feet, take your breath away, bringing a faith crisis, sort of leaving everything gray for awhile. Yet, summer's charms have not escaped me. & they are now tucked away in my hearts book of memories, that I will take out from time to time; the sunny days, starry nights, laughter of my grandson's, homemade ice cream, picnic lunches in the shade of a giant conifer tree in the yard, rhubarb pies, fireworks, getting to know my daughter's new horse, evening walks with our dogs, Rosie & Schnitzel, early morning sunrises, sunsets at twilight, barbecues with friends, dances of the fireflies, dazzling rainbows, rains in the sunlight that sparkle like diamonds, cooling feet in a briskly cold mountain creek, just sitting & watching deer & turkeys meander through the yard grabbing a grasshopper or munching a snack of grass on their way, bunnies grazing in the back yard at dusk, ice cold watermelon on the back porch, going outside after a summer thunderstorm & just breathing slowly, inhaling the elixir of fresh, clean air, so many simple country raptures. But upon closing the door to summer, we open the door of our hearts & embrace the new season, not just to Autumn, but also to whatever this season holds for us. I have learned over the years, not to let fear of the future take me down the road of despair & trepidation. & believe me, these days there are many roads of fear, depression & discouragement that we could take. Let me give you one simple word that will chase these pessimistic thoughts away & take you to the land of peace.

TRUST

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart & lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him & He will direct your paths."  Proverbs 3:5&6

& one of my favorites,

"You will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You."  Isaiah 26:3

We don't have to understand to be able to trust. As a matter of fact, there are & will be many things that happen to us & others that bewilder us & that will not make sense in this lifetime. But that's okay. Jesus said, "In this world you will have tribulations, but be of good cheer! I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

You've heard me say many times

Jesus has got this!!!

That is not flippant, but truth. He does! Nothing takes Him by surprise. He's never caught off guard. The Guardian of our souls does not slumber or sleep. (Psalm 121) Isn't that restful to your heart? & if that's not enough, He gives us angels, to keep us in all our ways! (Psalm 91)

HOWEVER!!!...

He won't do OUR job. Blessings come with accountability.

Our children for instance. Scripture says that children are a heritage, a blessing from the Lord. It is our responsibility to rear our little quiver full of arrows according to the Bible. There are many attacks from all directions coming to claim our children's  souls. The education systems especially. The Lord told me recently that this is the 'Season of Reclamation', for reclaiming our children that have left their godly heritage or have never embraced it. To also reclaim the educational system that had its beginnings in Christian tenets. Even to reclaim all influences over our children, for the Kingdom of God. Sometimes through the prayers of intercession. Sometimes through responsible action such as being involved in the political arena of your town. Know what's going on in your children's schools. I remember when my children were growing up, I was at their elementary school at least once a week. I would sit in their classes & meet their teachers. The principal of the school, who was not a Christian at the time, told me later (we became friends in  years to come) that when he saw me coming (I made several trips to his office concerning different school matters) he would groan & say, "Oh no, it's that woman again!" At least he never ducked out!

😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄

Let's not 'duck out' on our responsibilities either. I know if you watch the news at any time it would fill even the strongest hearts, at times with alarm, panic or dread. Here is my antidote for that.

"I would have lost heart unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13)

(I also would encourage you to watch "Flashpoint" news with Gene Bailey on The Victory Channel, & Lance Wallnau because they always give hope & good news too, along with Dutch Sheets. A little promotional commercial! 😌)

There will always be seasons of charm that we must say farewell to, but I would say that this is not the time to say 'Farewell to Arms'. We are born for this season, to take up the spiritual weapons of our warfare in our generation, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. For our world, for our children & all future generations, & for our God. 

"Be sober. Be vigilant. Because your adversary the devil, walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8

& of course he'll come for the most defenseless & vulnerable first. Our children.

Remember the cheer at the High School football games?

"That's ok, that's alright, (we'll) stay right in & fight, fight, fight!" & we will! Until death do us part!!

Sooooo...

a big bear hug of greeting to this season of Autumn & all that it holds for us. & while we look forward to the anticipation of the hidden mysteries of the bend in the road, & peeking around the corners, let us also seize this 'Season of Reclamation', which is also another word for 'Redemption'. Which is SO God's heart.

& take some of these last beautiful words to your heart that Jesus spoke before He left this earth, "... I am with you ALWAYS, even to the end of the world." or days, or times, or seasons....

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven..."

Let's embrace this season, for whatever the Lord calls us to do. For just like Esther, we were born for such a time as this! 

Raintree Perk of the Day:

"For we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:37