Seasons

Seasons

 I have spent the past months thinking about and reflecting on seasons. Why? I have recently realized that seasons in our lives are not exactly like the four seasons of weather in a year. Those are somewhat predictable. Seasons in life are not very predictable. 

So for the first time in my life, I find myself relocated to another area of the state. I'm thankful to still live in North Carolina, but my family and I have moved the farthest from our point of origin that we've ever lived. 

It wasn't until this move that I began to reflect on the forty one years of living in that area and all the relationships that had been built in that time. The number of people who have invested in me and the number of people that God has allowed me to invest in has been really moving. I do not really know how people who move often do it. It is really physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. Shout out to those in our armed forces who move frequently. 

Admittedly, I'm trudging through this season with sadness, mourning, and excitement and expectation.  Leaving friends and family behind, to meet new friends and engage in new lives and ministry. Thankful that God is leading and with me each step.

Another reminder in this season, that the harvest season does not just come. There is work that is done prior to the harvest. There is work in relationships and friendships. The harvest will come. 

Again, I am thankful. Good time of year for that. 😀

Come Ye Thankful People Come (Alford)

1 Come, ye thankful people, come, 
raise the song of harvest home; 
all is safely gathered in, 
ere the winter storms begin. 
God our Maker doth provide 
for our wants to be supplied; 
come to God's own temple, come, 
raise the song of harvest home. 

2 All the world is God's own field, 
fruit as praise to God we yield; 
wheat and tares together sown 
are to joy or sorrow grown; 
first the blade and then the ear, 
then the full corn shall appear; 
Lord of harvest, grant that we 
wholesome grain and pure may be. 

3 For the Lord our God shall come,
and shall take the harvest home; 
from the field shall in that day 
all offenses purge away, 
giving angels charge at last 
in the fire the tares to cast; 
but the fruitful ears to store 
in the garner evermore. 

4 Even so, Lord, quickly come,
bring thy final harvest home; 
gather thou thy people in, 
free from sorrow, free from sin, 
there, forever purified, 
in thy presence to abide; 
come, with all thine angels, come, 
raise the glorious harvest home.

United Methodist Hymnal, 1989