Beautiful Surrender

If you ask me, fall is the most glorious and splendid season of the year...

The trees simply glow with their vibrant colors and it's as if they are alight with joy

I am also struck that fall is really a season of surrender, have you ever noticed it?

Such splendor for the leaves impending death?!

If only to surrender the things in my life with the incredible splendor and grace of a maple tree, 

or an oak

as they prepare to face the coldness and hardship of winter.

Do we see a time of loss or a time of suffering coming as a time to become beautiful

or do we see it as something to fear?

I pray that I may face trials like a lovely maple tree

gracefully, knowing that what is ahead is for my best.

That in the seemingly barren time ahead there will be time for my 

roots to grow, and time to be watered deeply.

That even though perhaps the weight of the snows to come might make me anxious

they are truly a burden that will be for my good

allowing me to grow in new and better ways.

A trial free life is an empty life;

lacking depth and character that can be gained from only one source

In the comforting hands of my Father in Heaven.

But a life surrendered in splendor to the Lord and the ways that threaten to pierce us through;

it will grow and strengthen and eventually rise up as a pillar of light shining one 

incredible truth:

The God that created it, is loving and kind and joins in our sufferings.

He is not aloof and indifferent but actually holding us through it.

He suffered and He died,

FOR grace

and He rose in splendor and conquered death.

and I pray that in some small way that truth would be ALL that people would see through

the struggles of a perfectly sinful woman who loves Him with all of her 

crooked but graciously forgiven heart!

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!  Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near! Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.  And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.

~Phillipians 4:4-8~