Do you feel it? The air feels crisper, and color is bursting forth everywhere. God, the designer of seasons, is beautifully transforming the canvas of our world right before our eyes. Just as He colors the leaves, He delights in creating a new portrait in our hearts. Two years ago, a metamorphosis began for me. A single gal for 42 years, I honestly had no hopes of marriage. I had not had a date in 9 years. Then, one day, God changed everything. What a joyous season! – flowers, invitations, and an outrageously expensive white dress filled my days. The picture would have been perfect had it not been for one dark shadow. Cancer. The same day as my bridal shower, a group of us gathered to cry out to God for a dear friend’s healing – my best friend’s beloved husband had been diagnosed with stage four Lung Cancer. Her darkest hour came during my sweetest season. As we gathered together, locked hands, and raised our voices to our Maker, our hearts united and drew strength from one another and from our Savior. Joy and sorrow mixed during that night of prayer, and we walked out in hope. The vision of my dear friend and her husband surrounded by men praying over them gave birth to greater faith and perseverance in the midst of an unbelievable season.
Isaiah encourages us “to know how speak a word in season to him who is weary.” A small gesture today could breathe life into someone’s darkness:
- Call someone to catch up and pray for them
- E-mail an encouraging verse
- Buy someone a cup of coffee
- Send a funny card to make them laugh
I am so thankful for the power of prayer and friendship. As the seasons change, we must remain present and available to one another. May God teach me how to be an encouragement “in season and out.”
By Lyli, 3dLessons4Life
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Linda Virtue says
What truth about the seasons of life! Thank you for sharing about friendship in all seasons of life. As we remember that there is a “friend that sticketh closer than a brother,” may we demonstrate His love to each other.
Lyli says
Thanks, Linda! I am so thankful to have sisters who pray, pray, pray when I need it most. I probably should have shared in this post that God has done a miracle in this family through the prayers of the saints — we are seeing God’s healing hand daily in the life of my sweet friend’s husband.
Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) says
So very true. I vividly remember the people who supported my dad and I during our hard season of life – when my mom died of Lupus. I was only 7 years old but I remember those that took an extra step just to let us know they care. So powerful. Thanks for this wonderful post.
Lyli says
Thanks, Brittnie. I just hopped over to your blog and learned that you are in a amazing season of new life — CONGRATULATIONS! Praying now for your little one on the way. 🙂
Anne Bosworth says
Amen. I was just reading John 15:8-11 and looking carefully at the word “abide” as I considered the love of Jesus. He abides with us and we are to abide with Him…and when we do then part of that beautiful abiding and obedience is used to keep abiding in the faith with one another. God is so into recycling!
Lyli says
Thanks for the reminder, Anne. Gotta stay connected to Him.
Lyli says
Thanks, Brittnie. I just hopped over to your blog and learned that you are in a amazing season of new life — CONGRATULATIONS! Praying now for your little one on the way. 🙂
Cristy says
Inspirational. Thank you for sharing. Jorge and I will never forget all your love and kindness.
Lyli says
I am still amazed that your mom trusted my driving skills. xoxo
Itza says
Your post has reminded me of a song I’ve been singing during this season of my life. A song that says, “in EVERY season, He (God) is still God and I have a reason to worship.” No matter what season of life we find ourselves in, God is in control of it all and I wouldn’t want to be where God isn’t leading the way. With every season, we gain new friends, new hopes, a greater faith and incomprehensible peace and strength that can only come from a relationship with our Lord and Savior. I really don’t know how people do life without our awesome Counselor, Prince of Peace, and Mighty God. Moreover, the beautiful thing about Seasons IS that they change. Kudos on your blog Lily! You have no idea how much I needed to be reminded of the power of God, His mercy towards us, and his unfailing love. Thank you for sharing and encouraging me today.
Lyli says
I love that Hillsong song — “Desert Song.” One of my favorites!
Michael & Carol Leaming says
The sentence “Joy and sorrow mixed during that night of prayer, and we walked out in hope” reminded us of a story David Jeremiah told on the radio many years ago about the night he shared with his wife that he had canceer. He said her reply was, “Life is full of many choices and I choose hope.” As we travel this life on our way to heaven we have often responded to life’s difficulties, “We choose hope.” Your article encourages us to remain faithful in giving praise to the God of Hope and the Hope of Glory! What a glorious sight and reunion that will be!
Lyli says
Mike and Carol: Thank you for your faithfulness — your lives are living examples of walking in hope! 🙂
Dessie says
I am thankful for a loving and forgiving God.
I am thankful for being a live.
I am thankful for my husband.
I am thankful that God has blessed me with wonderful children.
I am thankful for friends and family.
I am thankful for my church..
I am thankful for my work
I am thankful a roof over My head..
I love you Jesús. I give all the thanks and Glory to Jesús Christ..
Rochelle says
Beautiful – and so very true. A good reminder for all of us to encourage & pray with others whenever we can.
Julie Sunne says
Great reminder, Lyli! And with today’s technology, it is so easy to be an encourager. Passing on encouragement comes back one hundred fold as we take our eyes off self and our circumstances and focus them on others. Even one or two word phrases or something as simple as a hug, a smile, or putting a hand on a shoulder can speak volumes. We never know the impact a little thought can have on someone’s life!
Rachel says
Thank you for an encouraging thought today, Lyli. Aren’t you glad for the truth that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever? I’m so thankful for the ministry of people throughout my life who have reached out to me with love, prayed privately, and most of all encouraged me to go to THE one who I need. His WORD remains what/who I need to hang on to and to ultimately obey, by his grace, no matter what I happen to feel like or what it seem like is going “right” or “wrong” in my life. I’m still rejoicing in one of your favorite truths, Philippians 1:6, because I need to know that HE will perform it! Keep looking up! With love, Rachel
Shelly says
Great Blog, Lyli. I do miss getting to chat and laugh with you as we did in college. I hope you have a great day and a wonderful Christmas…tell Bruce hi too. 🙂