My parents came to visit me in Cardiff this last week. We had a great time together and got to see a lot of the sights around Wales and England! Of course, it rained. It rained a lot! And, it was cold, colder than it's been for a few months I think. Although we had a great time, the topic of how much it rained came up quite a bit. We just wanted it to be sunny! Cold and rain don't mix well with sight-seeing....But alas, the rain and cold remained.
With all the complaints about the rain, mostly from me, it got me thinking. So much of the time it seems we (me for sure) aren't satisfied. When it's raining we want it to be sunny, like my parents and I did this week. When it's dry we want it to rain. I remember months going by in Africa where there wasn't a drop of rain coming from the sky and I couldn't wait until it rained, especially since I was in charge of keeping the cars clean! In the summer we want it cooler, and in the winter we want it warmer. We always want what something else, something different. We look back upon the past with rose-colored glasses and reminisce about the good ol' days when things were different. Or, we convince ourselves that the next chapter in our story will be better somehow, possibly because of a change of location or job.
I found myself getting frustrated this week a few times because of the weather, and sometimes I just get frustrated in general at life. Wishing for something different, thinking things would be better if only this or that would happen... The past few weeks I really feel like God has been trying to show me that I've got to learn to be satisfied with where I am and what I'm doing, right now-today. Will everyday be perfect? No. Will every season of life be better, more exciting, or perfect? Heck no. But it doesn't matter, it really doesn't. There's so much of my life right now that I really love, and there's other parts that I honestly just don't care too much for. But, I can't let the things that get me down from time to time keep me down. God made us to be joyful, to sing is praises, not to be a big whiny-butt like I am most of the time!
May we all learn to appreciate each season of life we are in. May we all choose to see the good around us. May we all make the choice and fight for our joy. May we all sing praises to our loving Father, regardless of how we feel each day.
"For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace."
The rain stopped and the sun came out this afternoon, so I think I will enjoy it while it lasts and go for a walk :)
