Rain
Fall weather has finally arrived here in NE Oklahoma.
The welcomed cold front has ushered in an overdue rainfall.
In my yard, the leaves of the Sycamore and Red oak trees are beginning to turn their respective yellow and red colors. The Eastern Redbuds sigh in relief as their leaves hold on for a few more weeks. They have spent the summer storing up nutrients for their early spring display of delicate petals of bright pink.
Although the Southern Magnolias fight for moisture with more established trees, they have found new life.
These trees are non-conifer evergreens (they have leaves instead of needles.) Their glossy, thick leaves offer a beautiful green that shimmers in the sunlight of the drab winter months. In the summer, they show off large white blossoms that form a lovely red seed pod.
Walking around my yard in the gentle rain, I asked myself, "Which tree in this yard best represents me?"
" planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,"
Ps 92:13-14 NIV
Another year has almost passed, and I have made a discovery.
Along with the changes of seasons in our lives comes the redefining of purpose.
Our children are grown and have families and lives of their own.
The enemy loves to tap on my shoulder and say, "You're not needed here now; why don't you give up and die?"
But the sweet, gentle voice of the Holy Spirit reminds me, "If you still have breath in your lungs, you're not done."
You may ask, "How do you have the strength to choose which voice to listen to?"
Trust me, I never would be able to on my own. The answer is simple: I have a daily appointment with my Savior every morning.
I read my Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to show me what I need to hear for that day. I pray, then I worship.
On Sunday, my husband & I continue the habit our parents demonstrated to us all our lives: We get up and go to church.
Too many times, as our hair turns gray, we lean towards the attitude that we know all there is to know. Even if that were true, it would be all the more reason to go to church and bless someone who needs to hear what you have to say.
"Retirement" does not translate, "Sit down and be served."
In Luke, chapter 2 is the story of Anna and Simeon. Anna was eighty-four years old. The Bible says, "...She did not go out from the temple, but was worshiping night and day with fasting and prayer."
Simeon is described as "an old man who the Holy Spirit told he would not see death before he would see the Messiah."
These two elderly souls had the privilege to hold the baby Jesus and prophesy over Him. Why? Because they were faithful to God's house.
"And if you will diligently heed My commandments which I command you this day—to love the Lord your God and to serve Him with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being—
I will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil."
Deuteronomy 11:13-14 AMPC
It doesn't matter how old we are, my friends, because there is always work to be done. We cannot afford to sit back and wait for Jesus to return. Instead, we must focus on bringing in the harvest. As the Bride of Christ, we must cleanse our hearts, prepare ourselves, and stand firm in the Truth. Let's immerse ourselves in God's Word every day, allowing it to refresh us like rain.
May we take a deep breath and not be afraid to dream again.