Can't You Feel It? The Feeling is Everywhere!

Those are some of the words to David Foster's theme song of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. We were there and we felt it from our vantage point at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies where our daughter was a member of the Coca Cola World Chorus. What a time we all had!

Actually that paragraph was a sweet memory as the words of that song flooded my mind yesterday when I was choosing a "Fall" colored outfit to wear to church. The heavy rains last week literally brought Fall to us -- the cooler temperatures and going into Bath and Body Works with their Fall scented candles made me remember why I love the Fall season so much. I feel it. The feeling is everywhere.

But, my conscience is disturbed with all this feel-good feeling while people's lives have been disrupted by the West's raging fires, the East's Hurricane Isaias and this North, South, East and West pandemic! Lord, have mercy! King Solomon provides us some comfort with the words he penned in Ecclesiastes 3. "For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace." Those words are especially poignant as I think about my friend's father passing on and three weeks later her grandson was born. The cycle of seasons and of life.

King Solomon experienced the seasons and so do we. Best "seasonal" news is God is right there with us in all of our seasons. And, in all those seasons, He is working out His plans and purposes for our good. All of the seasons are necessary for us to learn, grow, and be resilient and determined to press through “the seasons”. The seasons are by God's design to cause us to trust Him more -- no matter the season.

Maybe you're not "feeling" the feel-good feelings about the season that you're in -- maybe your missing your child that's gone away to college. Maybe you're home schooling your kids again. Maybe you're still looking for a job. Maybe you're enduring the pain of a loved one in their final hours. Maybe hope doesn't seem to be on the horizon for you today. The journey from here to there may seem like a dark and endless tunnel, but I assure you, one day, you'll see the light and you'll realize the gifts you received during these "seasons". If we remember that there is a gift in every crisis or challenge -- in every transition of life -- we will purpose to "feel it". That feeling is the presence of God in the ups and downs of every season. As we discover the gift of His presence in every season, we will learn to trust God's loving, divine purpose in it.

If we purpose to respond to each each season from the “eye” of God's presence within, where perfect peace and wisdom dwell, we will emerge even stronger, wiser, and freer than before. We may even morph into a beautiful, free butterfly for the first time because of the inner workings of God in our lives during these "seasons". Can't you feel it? The feeling is everywhere!

Life-Changing Experiences When Trusting the Master and His Plan

That's me -- Director of Telecommunications and Mail Services at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada -- 22 years ago.  This was the cover of MTS' (Manitoba Telephone Service), magazine.

What a blessing to have worked at the U of M for the 7 years that we lived in Winnipeg.  Of course, Winnipeg was home for my husband -- he was borne and bred, Canadian -- and always remained a loyal patriot and lover of his Canadian roots.  And, what a blessing for our entire family to have had such remarkable and life-changing experiences there.  Our son, Ryan, at only 19 years old was ranked in the Top 10 Winnipeg Realtors. Our daughter, Staci, became Miss Winnipeg and went on to compete in the Miss Canada Pageant and won overall talent, with a hefty $$ reward.  She also was selected to represent Canada in David Foster's Coca Cola World Chorus at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

And, I, having the most wonderful experiences at the U of M.  Originally hired in the President's Grant's Office, eventually moved to the Communications Offices, and though the position for Director of Telecommunications was advertised for someone with a Master's Degree in Communications, this little Southern gal, with only a high school education, but who burned with passion and desire and strong work ethics, loyalty, determination, drive, and willingness to learn WHATEVER -- was hired to that position. I received several awards for some of the innovations I brought to the university -- one of which was "Voice Mail".  (Who would have thought that those days in telecommunications would pave the way for my "telecommunications" business in Solavei today and getting to a make a huge difference in people's lives with FREE mobile service and also residual income? )

Why do I share this story?  Because I want everyone to know -- God has plans for our lives -- we went to Canada on a faith venture -- didn't know what our future would hold, but we KNEW that we KNEW God had great things in store for us there.  It was a faith journey that led to life-change because we BELIEVED.   Often, folks wait for the "just perfect circumstances" to make a life-change, to start a family, to take a risk on an opportunity that comes their way.  And, often, folks aren't willing to take ANY job to help make ends meet.  First, I proved myself in the UM's President's Office as a "Temporary" Office Assistant, was eventually hired to a salaried position and became an Administrative Assistant in Communications until I was promoted to Director of Telecommunications. What in the world would cause us to leave Canada and me, to EVER leave that position?  Our first-born grandson in Oklahoma.  The rest is history.

How awesome it is to be hooked up to the MASTER, Who has the MASTER PLAN for our lives.  When we trust Him with all our hearts -- risk taking, living on the edge,  and venturing out into the unknown becomes a WAY OF LIFE -- and oh, WHAT A LIFE IT IS!  Try it!  "For I know the plans I have for you -- plans to prosper and not harm you -- to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11