October 18, 2008 at 3:26 pm (Great Teaching)
September 26, 2007 I was in a planning meeting for our Women’s Ministries at our church. Somehow we got off the subject (surprise!) and began discussing how difficulties creep into our lives without us realizing it. One woman, Ann, shared how she is amazed each Fall as the leaves begin to change colors. Until then, all is green. As they turn, often a red vine is seen crawling up the trunk and onto its branches. This vine literally draws the life out of the tree as it attaches itself and steals the subsistence from which the tree grows. It was there before, but it was unseen. The vine was slowly killing the tree, but it was hidden. It was not until the seasons began to change that the life-sapping evidence was noticed. By this time, the vine is much harder to kill. It has already taken hold of the tree. It requires intentional, deliberate action to tear down the vine and kill its roots. It can be hard work and often must be repeated to make sure that the vine has not left behind some tentacles of roots.
Why do I remember so well the date of this discussion? It was the day before I was diagnosed with cancer. Since then I have considered the many principles in this teaching.
The lady who shared this with me has recently begun a difficult journey with her family. Through a tragic accident, they are walking a perilous path. They did not see it coming. It just appeared. It is requiring a lot of hard work to get through this time.
The hope that we have is that God is with us. As I did my part (going through 5 surgeries) and worked hard, God provided the healing that was necessary. As Ann and her family do what they can, God will bring about the victory!
“…Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus is revealed.” I Peter 1:6b, 7 NIV
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October 17, 2008 at 8:25 am (Moving on)
I love Fall! It is a “season of change”. During October and November, the best food is available (fresh apple cider, good soups, baked goods from fresh ingredients), the scenery is incredible (the trees on Route 60 are unbelievable), and the change of clothes (Have you been to Penney’s lately?) is wonderful! I think that change is good. It is hard, but it is good. When I realize that I have made some mistakes, when I am tired of my perspective on my surroundings, that “time of change” is necessary. It gives me a chance to “start over”, to have a “new beginning”.
So today, October 17, 2008, I am starting over! Don’t hold my mistakes against me anymore. I have a new beginning. I am a new person. I am a “new creation. The old has gone. The new has come!” (II Corinthians 5:17)
I love that Jesus gives me a second opportunity to get it right. And a third, and a fourth, etc. More than anyone, Jesus wants me to get it right! Oh how much he loves you and me! If you have recently been self-absorbed with your mistakes, with yourself, trust in Him today. Receive His forgiveness; start today with a fresh start! He is the God of second opportunities!
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