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!

Being a Soul Searcher

I’ve been doing some soul-searching – especially about my attitude during this quarantine. Honestly, not too much in my life changed. Yes, I've missed my Austin and Tulsa family and I was sad about the retreat that was cancelled that we had been working on for months, but I had no special occasions or vacations planned, a job that I depended on, children who were missing their senior year activities, or the loss of a loved one.

Of course I can have a sunny disposition – I haven’t personally been touched with emotional or physical pain as some of you have. But today, I am a Soul Searcher. I think, maybe, my happy-sing-along-with-Donna attitude may have come across as insensitive. So, please, forgive me -- especially to those of you who have suffered loss and are still in a grieving mode. I sincerely mean it. To love you is to help bear your burdens.To love you is to wrap my arms around you (virtually) so you know how much I care and am praying that you will weather this storm with strength and resolve.

Among the recommendations for keeping us safe during the COVID-19 pandemic was to gargle with warm salt water. But, I thought about salt in a different way when I considered where some of my friends are at. I realized that my sunny disposition may not appeal to those who are in misery right now. Lots of disappointments, financial setbacks, dreams squelched, and really severe depression. That is not something to be “sunny” about. The saying goes “It’s like rubbing salt in a wound.

I do know that grief can slip in quietly behind our best defenses. I do know what it is to force thinking about good and hopeful things, but still the darkness won’t go. I also know more about strength and determination in God's timing that sure helps. I think King Solomon understood it when he told us “There is a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

I’m sure there are those who know that scripture and how seasons like this come and go. But, I also know weeping and laughing, mourning and dancing can all occur in one “up-and-down” day. I've learned it’s okay to have a good cry (like when I was going through old photos of my husband and I last week). I also know "Don't stay there!" I know to move on is to appreciate the beauty of the present. Grief-triggers used to be unwelcome visitors for me. I would refuse to allow myself to go there. But, I’ve learned that it’s okay to grieve -- temporarily – because to those who loved much – miss their loved one much. I embrace those memories as a chance to give thanks for God’s past gifts and to expect His work now and in the future.

Here’s my heart -- I’m so sorry for giving the impression that I don't care about my friends’ needs. I assure you I do care and I want to help you out of despair. Christ is alive so that we don’t have to mourn or grieve as those without Him do. He brings us beauty right in the middle of our hardest days and saddest seasons. And even though His work isn't always an immediate song and dance, He always presents us the opportunity to change: "He grants to those who mourn in Zion -- beauty for ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of heaviness." (Isaiah 61:3).

We don’t have to force the joy or avoid the pain. But we do entrust our sorrow and hurts to Jesus because He is a compassionate Savior who knows grief and understands sadness. He cradles us, He heals our brokenness, and He transforms the ashes we bring Him into a crown of beauty that only He can create. The "corona-virus" starts with corona (crown). Let's change clothes, put on the garment of praise and thanksgiving, our crown of beauty and expect the best is yet to come! I love you so much and I'm praying for your change of seasons and that your BEST days are ahead!!

Okay! I'm Done. Winter Can Be Over.

Winter is one of my favorite seasons. I look forward to its arrival every year. Cozy fire in the fireplace, wrapping up in a blankie, hot coffee (well, that's any time of the year). The practical truth -- no yard maintenance costs and utility bills go way down. I love the excuse "It's too cold outside to go to the gym!" I think it's somewhat of a grizzly bear's mentality -- time to hibernate!

I still love everything winter has to offer -- but now it's February and I'm done. My all-things-winter mentality is replaced with "Let's get this show, rather Spring, on the road"! I'm ready to get amped up and motivated for my healthier eating and getting this young body moving and grooving. Old things passed away -- behold, all things brand new!

I’d like to say that “old things passed away” for the two "slacker" trees that aren’t aware that autumn came and went. They’re still holding onto their dead leaves. Just like many of us who are holding onto the "dead" things of the past. "Time to let it go!" In spite of their resistance to letting them go, still, on Saturday, my brain was done with staying inside. I headed outside and raked the leaves that still blanketed my yard. Four bags full. I’ll admit. It was refreshing. Neighbors stopped to visit. Lot's of sunshine Vitamin D on me in all of that nature. And, my start in getting this body moving and grooving. I'm even heading out for a morning walk this morning!

My engine is revving up for the glorious time of the year that is soon to come. The cold, dark, somber days of winter are almost over. Soon the dormant earth will give way to new life. Maybe I’m experiencing birthing pangs for the Babe Who was born in the manger to make His appearance on Easter morning -- the celebration and remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and power over death. Had it not been for Christ’s birth and subsequently His death, and resurrection, we would have no reason to celebrate anything. We would live in darkness forever. But because of His gift to us, we have the promise of new life. Welcome, new life. Welcome, bright Light of the world.

Light of the world, You stepped down into darkness, opened my eyes let me see. Beauty that made this heart adore You. Hope of a life spent with You.
And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me.

Our Master-Planned, Changeable Lives

I’m seeing commercials and promos that talk about pumpkin spice candles and coffee, falling in love with fall and promos about the exciting new fall clothes colors. It hit me. Fall has literally sprung up on us. School is back in session and college teams' fans are out in numbers as they sport their favorite team shirts and colors. Soon the leaves will be changing colors. I’ve changed out some of my summer wardrobe for my fall/winter ones – even though we’re still having scorching hot summer days. I also took down my spring/fall home décor. Bring on fall -- my favorite time of the year! I'm ready for change!

I get amused at the FB posts bearing photos of their little ones and mamas crying out to their children: “Stop growing so fast. Don’t get any older!” I know they really don’t mean those words because how awful would it be for our children to stop growing and not getting older but staying as their little baby selves! But I get those mamas, because they are witnessing “time flying” right before their eyes.

In Ecclesiastes 3:1, King Solomon wrote, “There is a time for everything, and everything on earth has its special season.” Many of us would be much more comfortable if everything stayed the same; yet it doesn’t. Everything has its seasons. Though we may like the seasons changing in nature, we may get frightened about the seasons changing in our lives. We grip so tightly to the present that it becomes traumatic when things change. Change can be difficult, but not so if we know God’s divine purposes are being fulfilled. God does have a purpose and a season for everything and right now each of us is in one of His seasons. It’s not about the seasons changing. It's about seeing God in the seasons.

Master Planned Communities are everywhere. The developer master-plans a clubhouse, pool, the number of homes, streets, curbs and amenities. I live in one like that. Well, we have the Master Developer and Planner...who is perfectly Master-planning our lives, the seasons we go through. He plans them with our ultimate success in mind. Isn't it time we relax and enjoy each season of our lives.....both in the climate, and in the transitions we go through? And, for goodness sake, mamas and papas, STOP wishing your babies to stop growing. It’s a part of the Master’s Plan to grow them into strong, self-sufficient and God-sufficient human beings that will change our world for good. Trust the Man with the Plan for your good!

The Invitation Read: Bring Spouses

Last week, in a group text message, I was invited to a Christmas Party and the invitation read: “Bring Spouses”. Immediately a “little” pang hit my heart and I replied: “I wish!” Soon the “singles” started texting me love and stated, “We’ll have a ‘single for now’ section!” LOL! I was really being facetious because, with God's grace, I’ve adapted well to my "single” status.

Yes, “Single” is the box I check in “Marital Status” now if it doesn’t have a box “Widow(er)” to check. These photos are of the last Christmas we had with my Sweetheart, my children’s dad, and my grandchildren’s Papa, Christmas 2009. Then, I checked the “Married” box. Honestly, I’d trade every Christmas present for the rest of my life for 5 more minutes with my Ron on this side of heaven. I’d snuggle in to tell him everything he meant to me in those 5 minutes. My encouragement to you, whether you bear the “single” OR “married” status, is to value what's really important and convey the words of what your loved ones mean to you, cherish them with all your heart because it's not what comes under the tree that counts." Comfort and joy are ours when we embrace it.

I often speak or write about the seasons in our lives. We ebb and flow our way through the years, never feeling like we are always weak, always strong, always tired, always victorious. Sometimes we stand tall and we fight. Sometimes we go dormant and we rest. Sometimes we reflect and grow. We don’t have to be “on” every single day of our lives. But, dear friends, we should never believe when we’re down, we are destined to stay there. Life will ebb and flow and our seasons will change. The season of being a couple and bringing my spouse with me to an event has changed, but you know what? I changed too! I was willing to change and in this season, I’m embracing the change. I sit with my single friends, laugh and celebrate life with them. But I also sit with my married friends (some of whom are my closest friends), hang out with them, and even travel with my married friends. I’m not defined by my marital status and neither should you be. Perhaps being defined by our relationship status with our Lord, is the status that matters the most because, in Him, we are complete.

Yes, Christmas is so much more than all the tree and food trimmings, the gift giving and the holiday parties and programs. The original Christmas story was also about seasons. A savior was born into the world – with hope for all mankind -- only to grow up and face rejection, betrayal, and death. All that we go through, He’s been through. Our hurt and our joy, He knows it. After enduring death on the cross and three days in the grave, our hope rose again.

Those of you who are hurting deeply this holiday season, I am so sorry, and I pray in the midst of your pain, you’ll find many moments of hope and joy. Make the moments count with loved ones. Turn your sadness into gratitude for those in your life, still on this side of heaven. Give them the gift of you putting on a "garment of praise" instead of having a spirit of heaviness. Let's be full of joy and resolute determination to be "present" with them. What a wonderful gift to give those around us when we can offer "sacrifices" of joy in the midst of this season. We might find them in the beauty of a Christmas tree that lights a darkened room or in the kitchen with our kids or grandkids icing cookies. Maybe we’ll experience a moment of satisfaction enjoying a meal and conversation with loved ones. We may even feel a glimmer of hope at the sound of Christmas carols, the warmth of a fire, or the sight of our children unwrapping gifts. It’s tender moments like these that will sustain us.

And next year, when we’re in a new season, we’ll look back and say, "That pain almost did me in, but because of God's grace there were moments where I saw Him. Those glimpses of joy reminded me of what life could be. It’s because of those moments that I not only survived but thrived. Don't let pain rob you of God’s small graces and tender hugs and embraces. Keep your heart settled on the good news of comfort and joy!

God Never Changes

On Friday, we witnessed a president’s departure and exit from office. On the outside, President Obama and Michelle were composed, gracious, stately (I was always impressed with President Obama’s eloquence of speech and composure), but I suspect, once behind closed doors, they were high 5-ing each other and celebrating that they are free of those ominous responsibilities and the scrutiny of the public.

And at the same time, we witnessed President Trump's “entering” and “embarking” on his presidency with all the wide-eyed wonder, expectancy, anticipation, aspirations, and desire to help our country be a shining star that leads the way in economic growth, world peace, blessings to its citizens, and so many other hopes and dreams. I was glued to the TV. After all, history was being made right before our eyes – history that will be taught to our young children and grandchildren for years to come.

Exits and entrances. Deaths and births. Endings and beginnings. Goodbyes and hellos. Departures and arrivals. Going and coming.
All those synonyms and antonyms (I looked them up) are reminders of what it is for a season to end and new one begin. Isn’t that life? How often have I witnessed the passing of a friend or loved one and within hours or days, in the same family, was the birth of a precious baby in the same family. It is the cycle of life.

Here’s the really good news. God assures us He’s watching over all our seasons – all our exits and our entrances – in passings and births, in ending kindergarten to begin first grade, in exiting high school and entering college, in exiting single life to enter into married life, in leaving one job to begin another one, in departing one country and entering another. Bottom line…..among all the exits and entrances and all the in-betweens, life, in any form…..is just temporary.

We can throw a tantrum, a pity party, a protest, a sit-in, a march, stay in bed and cover our heads, put our heads in the sand, wail, jump up and down and we can resist the changes……but all the while, I’m picturing God shaking His head as He thinks “Why do my kids get so caught up on so much that is just temporary?” There is one guarantee in life…..change will happen. Change is something we tend to fear and become anxious about because we feel out of control. But there is One who doesn’t change, Who walks with us in every season of life—no matter how easy or difficult. The good news is that God has a plan for our lives to hope, to give us a future, and to prosper us. If we trust in God and allow the change to grow us to become more like Jesus Christ in how we respond and act, then we are promised that “All things will work together for good for those who love Him and keep His commandments!” (Romans 8:28)

Just to reinforce how much God loves us and sincerely cares about us and the changes we face, here are scriptures that affirm His steadfast walk with us.

~ "I am the Lord, and I do not change.” Malachi 3:6
~ “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Heb13:8
~ “I will teach you the way you should go; 
 I will instruct you and advise you.” Psalm 32:8
~ “The Lord himself will lead you and be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you, so do not lose courage or be afraid.” Deut 31:8

Bottom line – God orders our days. He knows the seasons we are exiting from and He also knows those we are about to enter. It’s a new day – yesterday is gone. Why don’t we awaken to the assurance that He KNOWS ALL and if we’ll board His ways, we’ll travel higher, further and safer than we could ever imagine. I think I hear Him saying to us --His kids…..”I’ve got this so let go and let Me carry you through each season. Relax. Enjoy the ride. Trust Me!”

New Season.....New Day.....Celebration Time

If you live in San Diego, CA, Maui, HA or Orlando, FL, you enjoy reasonably mild climate throughout the year, but if you live in Tulsa, OK, you'd know the highs and lows of the most dramatic weather that accompanies each season. We get enamored by the changing of the leaves on trees that go from fiery reds and oranges....to no leaves at all. Those trees just spent the entire winter with bare branches. Now, all of sudden, those same bare branches are sprouting small purplish/red flowers and small white flowers. I love watching this beautiful transition. Yesterday, the high in Tulsa was 85 degrees. It excited me so much that I went to Lowe's and bought some herb plantings to get my veggie garden on its way. I loved feeling the warm sun. It's familiar, but also, NEW, all at once.

Isaiah 43:19 says, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it! I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

God is always in motion which tells us He is always up to something new! What He did yesterday was great, but today is a NEW day. I think He is always conjuring up ways to amaze and surprise us. The seasons are a perfect example of the daily mercies He brings to us. Winter changes into spring, spring to summer, and summer to fall. And, we, too, are constantly in motion -- we are growing and changing. Aren't we so thrilled that we aren't just one-season-people? Always in the same-O, same-O of life?

Our lives really are seasonal and when we are unwilling to accept change and grow, we become stagnant in our physical, spiritual and mental state. To come into a new season and to grow in our faith, we must let go of the old one. Isaiah 43:18 says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." One of the many lessons life teaches us is to let go. Whew! That's not an easy one, when we're faced with letting our little ones start to school, or for our high schoolers to go off to college or get married and leave the nest. And neither is hanging on to past hurts and struggles, and past relationships. I assure you, it is possible to feel the loss for a while in those times of life, but NEVER to stay there. To grow and celebrate this season of life, we must pick ourselves up and be willing to go to a NEW SEASON.

As spring is surfacing and the trees are blooming, we can see God’s reminder to let go of the old things and expect the new things He’s wanting to do in our lives. Expect that there are good and beautiful things to come. As the flowers are being resurrected to new life, the trees are sprouting from what seemed to be a lifeless state, the green grass is peeking through the brown remains of winter, may we SPRING FORTH in fresh, new strength and vitality that comes from taking off those grave clothes, and putting on garments of praise and joy! It's a new day, it's a new season, it's a time for great expectation that this will be the BEST day and times of our lives!

Love and blessings to all....Donna