Treasuring the Moments & Seasons of Life

Posted by Anna

Some are big... some are small, but each moment makes up life as a whole. It can be a simple as taking a young child by the hand and looking at a tiny beetle. Or a special glance across the room that sends a ray of sunlight into your soul. Or perhaps a sincere smile that you give someone passing by... you never know what that will do to a thirsty heart. Then there are the big, unforgettable moments as in a first job interview, or the moment you said "I DO!" on your wedding day, or maybe birth of your first child... Life is full of moments, and what we do with the momentary opportunities will make a lasting impact for the good, or for the worse. But if we chose, by God's grace, to live each moment in the will of God, then someday we will be able to look back on a life lived in His will.

 As we are just coming out of summer and entering the autumn season of the year, I am reminded of the application of the four seasons in the average human life time. Spring ~ the time of planting and new beginnings; Summer ~ the season of watering and being faithful, even through the pressure and heat; Autumn ~ the time of harvest and feasts from what we have sown; and then Winter ~ the time of rest and preparing the seed for the next season of new beginnings. 

Our family is definitely feeling the heat of summer as we are expanding and maturing in the different abilities the Lord has given us, as well as the intensity of still rearing newly sprouted little "seeds" that have been planted in our family greenhouse in the form of little lives. Some are beginning the process of finding their role in the greenhouse as a worker as well as some finally entering the realm of maturity enough to stand strong in the field of society, while others are new to the greenhouse and having to be watered and fed with tender loving care. 

We feel we are in the mixed season of spring and first part of summer and are very excited to see what the Lord has for us to learn, seeing we have not been through this season together before. But sometimes it gets intensely hot, and we don't know how we are going to make it through till dusk, then other times it is a beautiful day with a cooler breeze that refreshes our spirits, letting us know that we are still on the right track and will make it if we keep our hearts and minds stayed on Jehovah, our Sustainer.   

Here are a few captions of several different plants that are part of our family garden in different stages of maturity:

  Josiah acquired his solo flight certificate a couple weeks ago!   

At the beginning of this month, Daniel celebrated his 2nd birthday anniversary!

Then we have some updates of our newest little "seedling", Amanda. She is such a joy and delight and is starting to interact with us through little squeals and smiles :)

Children are not casual guests in our home. They have been loaned to us temporarily for the purpose of loving them and instilling a foundation of values on which their future lives will be built. ~ James Dobson

"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worth for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

~ 2 Corinthians:16-18 ~