Dear Friend,
I just wanted to share something I experienced recently... and I need this image to help explain. :)
As seen in a few of my previous photos, we’ve experienced a lot of grey skies here lately. Yet, this beauty remains. These trees, and the beauty they possess – while one may be nearly stripped bare of its leaves – still remain. And it is that beauty which I rejoiced over.
At the moment, Tim and I are reevaluating certain things in our life – due to the grey skies hovering over our household. A few days ago, when it came very clear to us that these grey skies threatened to darken our household even more, I must admit faith momentarily flew out the window and fear was welcomed in.
But then He who is faithful and does not sway with the season, nor in the face of circumstances, opened my eyes to the beauty this household still possesses: Love, laughter, and each other… And I realised that, no matter how grey a sky may appear, beauty still exists in my world – I just have to look for it. I must not stop appreciating or celebrating the beauty in my life, no matter how dark the moment may appear.
It’s so easy to focus on the miserable weather when it sets in, isn’t it…?
This image is a reminder to me that seasons pass. Winter passes. Hard times pass. Hope remains. Life goes on. A new season will come in due time. The sun will shine again. And no matter what comes against my family, we will stand strong, we will stand as one, and love and laughter will remain. No storms, no grey skies, no circumstance can steal that from us, unless we allow it to be cut down at the roots – and we will not. As one, we will stand strong – and that, to me, is far more beautiful than holding on to ‘things’ and anything else that distracts our hearts from the beauty of one another.
Winter has never been my favourite season, but here, in the midst of it, I can now see what needs tending in the garden of my life. Spring will come, and the garden will reveal its impressive beauty. Until then, I have a chance to weed my garden… but I won’t focus solely on the ‘weeds’ of the present season and believe this is where life stops. I will see the possibilities that lay ahead, and I will use my hands to do whatever I can to better the circumstances facing me. I can help make the world a better place for those I love.
And through it all, I will praise God for enabling me to see through His eyes. I will praise Him for the beauty in my life; the beauty that stands strong, and remains, no matter what season we’re faced with: Him, and my family. And I will praise Him for the symbolism He often presents us with, that strengthens us with hope, faith, peace and joy.
I know the family season can, does, and will change. I know darker seasons are possible… and greater pain is probable… but now, here in this moment, I will trust that the symbolism of this simple image will again remind me that a new season will come; hope remains; life goes on… God is always with me… and, no matter what, I should not give up…
All my love and respect,
Donna
xoxoxox