Thankful for Seasons
“‘Tis the season to be jolly”
That is the song we hear all through Advent, but not everything in life is free from sadness and full of mirth. There are times to be serious, as well as times to laugh.
People think they like sunshine all the time, until they actually live with it. When the earth dries up from no rain, then appreciation for clouds and rainy days begins to form. Life teaches us that the cycles and seasons all have a purpose.
Advent Fasting
This was a time of fasting in the Church calendar. That meant doing without things we like, for a short period of time. The purpose was to bring attention to the great joy and good gift that was waiting before us. Like not snacking before dinnertime so we don’t ruin our appetites.
Perhaps some people find the Christmas season exhausting for the push to have fun and games and too much “partying”.
Today Has a Somber Reminder
Genesis 1 :17-19
To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’
“Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat food from it
all the days of your life.
It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return.â€
To some people, sometimes God seems mean. Sometimes they want Him to be mean to those who make them angry or hurt.
Apples
They don’t understand that is a pathway through seasons in this life. Like the apple symbol for today, it takes many things to produce a good outcome. Most apple varieties have a chill requirement. They have to suffer through cold and dormancy to set blossoms.
Through the Bible the story is told over and over about how God’s goodness and mercy constantly helped people… when they did not deserve it, even when they forgot about Him, until finally salvation came in Jesus.
He promises comfort to His people.
Today
Slice up apples for everyone to enjoy. Be thankful for the winter cold, the long summer, and the harvest labor that brought you good fruit to eat.
Have you been complaining when it is someone else’s turn for good? When you or others made mistakes? Everyone of us sins and needs mercy.
When we eat something after going without, how good it tastes! Share your bounty with a person who does not have as much as you do. When it makes you happy, you are experiencing something of what God felt as He sent Jesus to be born.
Carol:
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
I am thankful for forgiveness, help me to forgive others today. I am thankful for the many good things You have given me, help me to share some of them today.
I am glad you are happy when I am blessed, and gracious when I make mistakes.
Receive my heartfelt thanks today, in Jesus Holy name. Amen.
