Posts
In the world of blogging, you can usually sense people's moods by the tone, content and frequency of postings. An avid blogger whose page suddenly goes blank is a good indication that some problem has come up. A semi-avid blogger with regular posts that become sporadic probably just indicates boredom with the sport. A bloggers tone often reflects the writer's inner working- glass half-full, half-empty, condescending, uplifting. Much like where you spend your money is a reflection on where your heart is- I would say that where a blogger spends most of their time is a good indication of where their heart is.
So, what does that say about our blog. It's been a month since I last posted so that probably means life has become routine bordering on the mundane. There is nothing wrong with life seeming boring for a period of time, it gives you just enough time to catch your breath for the next wave. That wave can be good, as in a new baby, or it can be bad, as in news of an illness. Either way, waves are usually exhausting. If you look at the subjects of most of my posts, they either feature my kids, are related to my kids or someway to take care of my kids (meals, etc.)
In the advertising world, there is a term to refer to the number of times one person hears the same message regardless of the median used to express that message. It's called "impressions" and it takes approximately 10 impressions before a message has been solidified in someone's mind. This may come from a sales person, a TV commercial, a billboard or word-of-mouth. Sometimes, I wonder if God knows about "impressions" and uses the 'rule of 10' on us.
Lately, I've been hearing about seasons in life. You have a singles season, a married without kids season, a young child season and so on. I am assured that the small-child season really does end someday and a few have even warned that it will be over too quickly.
I think about my season in life. Sometimes it feels like a dry season and I am reminded of the scorching hot months without rain in Thailand. During this time, farmers burn their fields and smoke fills the air to the point that the sun is lost in the clouds. Those dry days all my patience and good intentions are lost in a murky haze of discontent and bad attitudes.
Some days, like today, my season is caretaker. This season is like the life-giving rains that proceeds on the heels of the smoke relieving the heat and releasing the sun. Today, I took Ava to the emergency room to get one stitch in the back of her head from a poolside accident this morning. I don't like it when my kids are sick or broken but the end result of whatever calamity has fallen upon them is a chance to love. When they are sick they want closeness. When they are well they run around arguing causing chaos. When they are broken they want healing and their spirit softens. The sibling shows concern and care for the injured party. They take care of each other. When they are fully-mended they spend the better part of the day trying to break each other again.
I was thinking about this in relation to suffering in life. Some people's season in life is full of sorrow and grief. God does not wish calamity upon anyway and I know that he grieves with those who mourn. But those times of sorrow and brokenness are such beautiful opportunities for our spirits to soften and desire closeness. We can build bonds between people and God where otherwise we are too busy causing chaos and trying to wound each other.
So, what's your season?
So, what does that say about our blog. It's been a month since I last posted so that probably means life has become routine bordering on the mundane. There is nothing wrong with life seeming boring for a period of time, it gives you just enough time to catch your breath for the next wave. That wave can be good, as in a new baby, or it can be bad, as in news of an illness. Either way, waves are usually exhausting. If you look at the subjects of most of my posts, they either feature my kids, are related to my kids or someway to take care of my kids (meals, etc.)
In the advertising world, there is a term to refer to the number of times one person hears the same message regardless of the median used to express that message. It's called "impressions" and it takes approximately 10 impressions before a message has been solidified in someone's mind. This may come from a sales person, a TV commercial, a billboard or word-of-mouth. Sometimes, I wonder if God knows about "impressions" and uses the 'rule of 10' on us.
Lately, I've been hearing about seasons in life. You have a singles season, a married without kids season, a young child season and so on. I am assured that the small-child season really does end someday and a few have even warned that it will be over too quickly.
I think about my season in life. Sometimes it feels like a dry season and I am reminded of the scorching hot months without rain in Thailand. During this time, farmers burn their fields and smoke fills the air to the point that the sun is lost in the clouds. Those dry days all my patience and good intentions are lost in a murky haze of discontent and bad attitudes.
Some days, like today, my season is caretaker. This season is like the life-giving rains that proceeds on the heels of the smoke relieving the heat and releasing the sun. Today, I took Ava to the emergency room to get one stitch in the back of her head from a poolside accident this morning. I don't like it when my kids are sick or broken but the end result of whatever calamity has fallen upon them is a chance to love. When they are sick they want closeness. When they are well they run around arguing causing chaos. When they are broken they want healing and their spirit softens. The sibling shows concern and care for the injured party. They take care of each other. When they are fully-mended they spend the better part of the day trying to break each other again.
I was thinking about this in relation to suffering in life. Some people's season in life is full of sorrow and grief. God does not wish calamity upon anyway and I know that he grieves with those who mourn. But those times of sorrow and brokenness are such beautiful opportunities for our spirits to soften and desire closeness. We can build bonds between people and God where otherwise we are too busy causing chaos and trying to wound each other.
So, what's your season?
1 comment:
Beautifully written, Heather, and so much wisdom in it!!! Yes, I could write a book about "seasons" that I have gone through, but I will spare you and your readers... ha ha I guess you could say my season in these later years is still pretty much like my later years --- ups and downs; just different ups and downs than you describe with your children. I went through those years, and now it is more like, "what did I do wrong that none of our 3 children, 3 grandchildren plus spouses, and now 7 great-grandchildren live nearby for me to see them?" I mostly only know them through pictures now. But God granted my heart's desire to have three children of good character and who have passed it on to their children -- so, see, He does take care of our wants and needs; we've just got to remember to praise and thank Him for doing all that He does for our hearts desires; mothers are merely one of His instruments. Love you, Gma Pat
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