The blossoms have appeared in the land & the heady fragrance of our flowering Sydney rock orchid is wafting through our home with every breath of air.
Spring has arrived on the east coast of Australia! Welcome my friend, it’s time for a delightful cuppa together while we reflect upon personal victories won over this difficult pandemic season.
Today I have prepared a lovely afternoon tea in our backyard under our Jacaranda Tree. We have some fruity tea blends or coffee, if you prefer, with gf Apple & Blueberry Muffins.
The sun is shining, the birds are chirping & it’s time to ponder as we sip & enjoy our treats…
The Winter Season is Gone
This past Winter has been a strange one to say the least. As we hibernated in our homes, sheltering from the icy blasts of CoVid & its impact upon our lives.
We thought that dormancy would have become the norm, after all isn’t that what winter’s hibernation is all about!
But no, this winter time has been a flurry of energy, ready to burst forth in a new season of growth.
While being hunkered down in CoVid restrictions since March, I have learnt the following (you may see yourself in some or all);
-
- Though our tv screens scream the worst of mankind, a crisis also brings out the very best in mankind. As We Shall Honor Them highlighted.
- That we can rest assured, when we have been prepared for The Elephant in the room
- We can travel without actually traveling, in Traveling Time
- That we need to be ever so mindful of what chasing pesky distractions do, explained in Chasing Squirrels
- That wisdom is found in living through & experiencing life in all its ups & downs, as viewed Through the Looking Glass
Walking in the Garden
As I victoriously pick red plump strawberries from my garden, enjoying the fresh juicy taste of homegrown produce. I notice that this past cold & stormy season has produced some beautiful fruit.
And as I amble around my spring garden, delighting in the first blossoms appearing on our peach & nectarine trees, the following scripture comes to mind…
“For behold the winter is past, the rain is over & gone. The flowers have already appeared in the land…& the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance. Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come along!”
Song of Solomon 2:11-13 Refer 2
Isn’t that the most amazing script,
God is calling us His darling, His beautiful one, inviting us to come along with Him in this new season.
To use the lessons learned & blessings gained of this past season to blossom forth His fragrance to a hurting & confused world.
Sharing the sweet fragrance of His love, serenity, hope & steadfast assurance that He is more then able to meet each & every one of us where we’re at!
How is this done?
By living our lives in such a way that gives the delightful fragrance of a life lived for Him.
Does that mean we need to be perfect?
Absolutely not! We aren’t perfect, nor can we be this side of heaven but we can live a life that is being perfected by God through His Son Jesus & His Holy Spirit!
And you know what, watching a life being sculpted by our heavenly Father, a living work in progress, is something to behold!
It shouts to those watching that our strength, hope & assurance undeniably come from Him & not that of ourselves!
Shining His light of grace, love & healing power through His mending of our brokenness encourages others to look to Him for their life. Remembering His words to us…
“You’re here to be light…If I make you light bearers…don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket… Now that I have put you…on a light stand-shine!”
Matthew 5:14-16 (MSG)
We essentially become A living Kintsugi.
What blessings have you gained this past season dear friend? Please share & shine in the comments below.
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
© 2020, Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog, All Rights Reserved. Photo on Pexels.com
Tea With Jennifer on life & laughter 
Jennifer, the orchid tree is beyond amazing. What a season this has been, so much to try and understand. My personal times of quiet and reflection have been a resting place for me. I long to be a sweet fragrance to our Lord and to everyone I come in contact. You are entering your spring, we will soon be entering autumn, my favorite season. Blessings my friend…
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Thank you Pam, yes it has defintely been a season of sheltering under His wings in a time for much reflection. Have a wonderful weekend sweet friend ♥
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Another lovely post! Our television, social media, and newspapers are full of images that, at times, are unbearable to watch which makes it hard to see the blessings that are sometimes hiding in plain sight. I recently bought a DVD set called The Chosen, and I have been greatly inspired spiritually by watching these episodes. In several weeks those of us in the USA will be entering our winter both literally and figuratively. My prayer for my community, my country, and our world is inspired by that lovely quote you shared from Song of Solomon. Thank you!❤️
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Thank you for your kind words & I’m delighted you enjoyed our time of reflection over a cuppa together. Yes, isn’t it wonderful how God has set the world to have activity on one side of the earth while the other side rests in hibernation & vice a versa. With each & every season having a beauty all of its own physically & spiritually. He never ceases to amaze me! Praise Him! 😀
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Dear Jennifer,
Oh what precious thoughts here, and what lovely images. I felt like I was with you there, on the other side of the world, picking those juicy fruits and smelling the fragrance of your garden. Yes, our Lord has been carrying us through this heavy season, and showing us that He still has the gift of Himself right here for us. Thank you for always lifting our hearts up to HIM! Blessings and love to you dear sister.
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Thank you Bettie, I’m so glad you enjoyed our time together today, it is so beautiful here at the moment. I love how our heavenly Father delights our souls with beauty, color & fragrance of His creation & of course Himself! Bless you sweet friend ♥
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This is such a beautiful post Jennifer! I absolutely love what you said about us not needing to be perfect, that allowing others to see a life being perfected by God results in “Shining His light of grace, love & healing power through His mending of our brokenness encourages others to look to Him for their life.” Thank you for such a wonderful reminder sweet friend!
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Thank you sweet friend, I’m delighted you enjoyed our time together this week! I believe its important to share our mended brokenness it shows we’re real. Bless you Terri! 😀
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Dear Jennifer,
Thank you for this post and these words of encouragement:
“Does that mean we need to be perfect?
Absolutely not! We aren’t perfect, nor can we be this side of heaven but we can live a life that is being perfected by God through His Son Jesus & His Holy Spirit!
And you know what, watching a life being sculpted by our heavenly Father, a living work in progress, is something to behold!
It shouts to those watching that our strength, hope & assurance undeniably come from Him & not that of ourselves!”
Amen! People will see His work in our lives and be encouraged to look to Him also.
Blessings to you!
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You’re most welcome Gayl & blessing to you too! It’s so lovely to have you drop by today!
And it’s true isn’t it, I remember when I was seeking more of God before I truly knew His love. I watched two ladies being sculpted by God & their lives spoke volumes to me, they weren’t perfect but they definitely had something special. I desired His peace, strength & love that I saw in their lives in their relationships with Him.
You may enjoy reading my spiritual journey HERE
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The blossoms are beautiful! And I love that verse from Song of Solomon as well as all the lessons you’ve learned during this winter season.
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Thank you Lesley! 😀
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I love the picture of the blossoms and the verse from Songs of Solomon. I’ve learnt during this difficult season that God will never leave nor forsake me, just like He promised. It’s the beginning of Autumn over here in the UK – your picture and descriptions make me long for spring all over again!
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Thank you Wemi! Isn’t it wonderful that He always keeps His promises, how comforting that is!
Autumn is a beautiful season all those varieties of amber & red on rusted leaves 😀
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I long for the change of season this year–August and September have been scorching hot (more so than usual), and dry. But I need to remember that God can work through me and in me during each and every season–not just the ones I like!
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That’s so very true Anita! 😀
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I just read a lovely essay by a mother of three who lives in Jerusalem where for the Easter season their family was confined to 100 meters from their home. While they normally walk at sacred places around them, they found Jesus alive in that small circumference dictated by covid. I feel the same way about being at home these nearly six months. Lots of life right here.
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What a lovely way of looking at this time Elizabeth 😀
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There is so much to learn! Thank you for sharing this. Visiting today from the Inspire Me Monday link up. Have a great week!
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That there is Marielle! Lovely having you drop by today! 😀
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“He is more then able to meet each & every one of us where we’re at!” – I love this – I am so glad He doesn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up all on our own! We are indeed a Kintsugi – a broken piece of art made stronger and more beautiful by Him! What have I learned this season? Well – we were heading into Spring in March and now we are heading into Winter here – Our community suffered a terrible tornado and great loss at the beginning – and I was recovering from major spinal fusion surgery – it has been a time of refreshing, of new birth with a grandchild – and healing!
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Thank you Maryleigh! Wow, you have been through some major times of learning in this past season. How wonderful to hear it has been a season of healing for you! 😀
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“It shouts to those watching that our strength, hope & assurance undeniably come from Him & not that of ourselves!” That’s want I most want, in every season.
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Amen! 😀
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I love the change in seasons but summer has been good to me. I felt like I was able to stretch my wings so to speak. I feel more freedom than I have the last four months and I know that God is calling me “Darling.” It’s a beautiful thing.
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What a beautiful testimony Mary! 😀
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What a beautiful tree! Praying I’m living my life in such a way that it gives the delightful fragrance of a life lived for Him. Beautiful post!
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Thank you Joanne! Lovely having you drop in for a cuppa today! 😀
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We are a looooong way from spring here, but reading about how it landed in your world gives me.hope. Wonderful that we can do that for one another!
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Absolutely Michele 😀
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Such a delightful post. I’m in the opposite hemisphere, so we’re preparing for fall. Nonetheless, your words are a lovely reminder that the change of seasons presents a perfect time to reflect and re-evaluate how we can fulfill our God-given calling. I’m excited to embrace all the changes this season brings.
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Thank you Theresa! Yes, it’s definitely interesting times & a change of season is most welcome! 😉
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