Welcome, come on in my friend! Today we are reflecting upon Time, as yet another year has passed & a new one has begun.
When my family were together over the recent Christmas/New Year period we couldn’t get over just how quickly the months of 2022 had gone. Even the teen-agers in our family felt the same!
Over my lifetime, one thing I’ve noticed is how incredibly fast time passes! Have you noticed that?
In a blink of an eye seasons of life come & go!
Let’s grab our cuppa’s & get comfy before we begin our time together.
I’m having a mug of Green Chai Tea today. What’s yours?
Seasons in Life
Since 2018 I have adopted the practice of having a theme for reflection/focus for the year.
I know many take a one word focus, but I’ve found a theme works best for me.
A theme comes to me through prayer.
This year the theme ‘Season’ seems to have been brought to my attention.
Doing a little research on the word Season in scripture, I noticed that the original meaning in Hebrew is ‘an appointed time’.
In a recent devotional, the following questions were posed;
If you were to reflect upon your current season in life, what season would you say you’re in?
Would it be a season of;
sowing?
testing?
waiting?
harvesting?
Or………….? You may fill in the blank.
They’re definitely thought provoking questions, aren’t they?
Of which I’m still reflecting upon my answer, because I feel that I’m in a few seasons at the moment.
Kind of like those days where we have four weather seasons in one day.
Where you wake to a freezing cold morning (like Winter), then the day gets hot (like Summer), then it rains (like Spring) & then it becomes more temperate (like Autumn).
The devotion also posed the following question;
What is God revealing to you in this season of your life?
A startling exercise
For a reflective exercise I decided to change the word Season in the above questions to the original meaning in Hebrew of ‘an appointed time’.
And my goodness that made me sit back & take notice!
Let’s do the main questions together & you’ll see what I mean;
If you were to reflect upon your current appointed time in life, what time would you say you’re in?
&
What is God revealing to you in His appointed time for your life?
Wow! It changes the perspective entirely, doesn’t it?
To know that this season in my life isn’t just a random occurrence but an appointed time from God, is comforting.
And also it’s exciting in seeing what He will reveal to me through this time.
‘For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD,
‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’
Jeremiah 29: 11 Ref
Yes, all the seasons in our life are a part of God’s plan!
Even in the harder appointed times God is ever present carrying us through.
I can attest to this, that in the very hardest seasons of my life, in the loss of my daughter Candy & then twelve months later the death of my only son Benjamin, then in the death of my late husband Ed to brain cancer, God never left me.
For we are not alone in any season of our lives for He promised the following;
“He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My loving kindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation];
for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.”
Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 Ref
I’m excited to see what God has for me in this appointed time (season) & what He will reveal to me throughout this, year.
What about you my friend, what season of life are you in at the moment?
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
Or
In Prayer
© 2023 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All Rights Reserved. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
I’d say I would be in a slow down/waiting time. Not that I live in the fast lane, but I have always been impatient as far as getting things done and expectations. I love the scripture Psalm 27:14.
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Psalm 27:14 is one of my favourite scriptures too Ed. I find the seasons of waiting & resting wonderful as the Lord reveals His restoration in so many new ways. Lovely having you join me in a cuppa today 😊
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So thankful for the way God speaks to you and is working through you. You have made me feel right at home and so less alone on my life journey. Sending you so much love from Michigan. Thanks for being you beautiful sister in Christ ❤️
Peace’Love’Godbless,
Carrie
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Awww, thank you Carrie for your beautiful words of encouragement. I’m delighted you feel at home here.
May you be richly blessed, 💖
Jennifer
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Wow, Jennifer, you’ve certainly given us some food for thought…. I think I’ll spend these next few days thinking on these questions. Blessings to you sweet friend!
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Yes, they’re definitely thought provoking questions Terri! Blessings to you too sweet friend 😊
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Thank you, Jennifer, for passing on to us the same hope and comfort God has given you through those difficult seasons of life. And for the encouraging reminder that He is with us no matter what season of life we’re in. Love and blessings to you!
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Thank you Trudy, God is so good to us through all the seasons in our lives. Blessings & love to you my friend. ☺️
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An appointed time is startling, Jennifer! It brings a completely different perspective to the word, season. It sounds like it will be a wonderful journey with the Lord this year!
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Thank you! It does change the perspective… Doesn’t it! I’m excited about what God will reveal this year. Lovely having you join me in a cuppa today ☺️
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A chaotic Christmas season (weather + illness) left me reflecting often on Ecclesiastes 3 and seasons, a theme I often come back to. I’m in a season of great transition and trying hard to set aside my instinct to race through it!
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I’m saddened to hear you were ill over Christmas Natalie. I hope you’re feeling better now.
Yes, there’s always the temptation to rush through those seasons that challenge us with change. But I’m glad you have God’s wisdom at this time.
Lovely having you drop by today ☺️
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Jennifer, I love the way changing “season” to “an appointed time” made things more intentional. When I remember that God places things/people/circumstances in my life at “an appointed time,” I find comfort in knowing He is in that appointed time with me.
I would say this year will be an appointed time of transition as our youngest graduates from high school and both of our sons (God willing) go to college. If Ik now my Father, there are other transitions coming too. 🙂
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Yes, it’s very comforting to know that God is with us in all of His ‘appointed times’ He takes us through Jeanne.
A season of transition is always challenging but as we chatted about above God is with us in the transition. 😊
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I sometimes feel like I’m in more than one season with all the different things that come up in my life. I had no idea that you had lost so many so close to you, dear Jennifer, but in my own life, I know that God gives comfort in our grief. May He continue to comfort and give you peace as you continue to encourage others with your words here. Blessings to you, my friend! xoxo
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God indeed is the great comforter Gayl through His Holy Spirit in our time of grief.
Blessings to you too my friend 💖
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Jennifer, the photo is stunning and I resonate with the whole season thing. Time is passing much too quickly for my liking but it only makes me want to live on purpose, honoring Christ, loving well.
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Thankyou Linda! Yes, making our time count in Jesus is so important.
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Joining you for a cuppa today. I love your article; Wow! what great questions to ponder. I would have to say I am in a waiting season in the early fall of my life. Pausing to reflect on your words here, dear friend.
Thank You bunches for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month.
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Thank you Paula! Lovely having you drop by for a cuppa today sweet friend. 😊
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