I’m Ready for a New Season
By Susan Shanklin
Where did the summer go??? Our maples are turning the most beautiful reds, yellows, and oranges. The sumac leaves are dancing the most tribal sway and twirl to the playful wind. The many apple trees are swollen with fruit feasted on by birds and bugs. The wood guy lovingly dumped a massive pile of wonderful oak to be stacked high. Yep, the old season is being ushered out, like it or not, because change is the normal cycle of life.
I’m ready for the season to change, and I want to be on board for every new and breath-changing moment. Last season was so hard. When I look back, even though I don’t want to, sometimes, it was hard.
There was uncertainty. There were heartaches. There was a dark cloud, and it seemed inescapable at times.
Have you ever been there? The days repeat themselves over and over and over again, like the movie “Groundhog Day.” You long to go to bed to shut your heart and brain off, only to wake up and repeat yesterday.
You have such indignation and vexation that nothing has changed but gotten worst. Your spirit man screams, “NO, no more.” I have prayed! I have confessed! Oh God, why are the heavens shut up against me?”
But there is no place to turn but to God. There is no place to fall except in front of the cross. There are no choices but the Father. If I have to repeat this day again, I will, with YOUR help. If I have to scrape my heart off the ground, I will do it with God’s help. If I trip over a stone, I will fall on the Rock.
Seasons end.
Many times last season, Tom would ask me how I was doing. I would reply, “I feel stuck in the middle of the Red Sea, and I can’t move my feet.”
I could see the other side. I wanted to be on the other side.
But then, I knew somewhere deep inside me there was a flickering light. The darkness can never overcome the light, you see.
Eyes need to be forward and slightly upward. I say slightly upward because I have to be mindful of my path and walk.
There’s always a chance to fall into the ditch of despair. There’s a chance that you might be tempted to go back to Egypt. But hey, don’t ever go there! Don’t even remember the smell of the garlic.
God is on the throne, and He never left to go help someone else more important. I am His number one priority.
My focus is to trust my Father. Our Father, who is in heaven, like Jesus told us to pray.
The leaves on those trees outside are going to fall to the ground. They will even look pretty on the ground for a time. Then Mr. Wind will dry them and blow them away. I will shut my windows tight. I will have Tom lay my birdbaths on the ground, leaning against the pedestals. I will freshen up wool hats and gloves. Try on the winter coats to see if they still fit.
“I will” is the phrase I will join to His name. Yes, I will follow. Yes, I will do your Word. Sometimes, you just have to will yourself to pick up one foot and put it in front of the other.
I am not alone. I am not done. I’m not dead!
Thank God, I didn’t fall for the lie! Thank God, you didn’t fall for the lie!
It’s a new season. No turning back. No turning back.
Breathe. Inhale the goodness of God. Jesus is the Savior. Jesus is your Savior.
Champion. Liberator.
Looking for my Redeemer.