[APRIL 3] Longing for Spring

Read: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

"Nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives."

--Ecclesiastes 3:12

It's been a long, cold winter, and I am eager for warm weather. I'm tired of seeing bare trees and lifeless brown leaves covering the ground. I long to see wildflowers poke though the dead leaves and to watch the woods turn green once more.

Yet even as I anticipate my favorite season, I hear my mother's voice saying, "Don't wish your life away."

If you're like me, you sometimes hear yourself saying, "When such and such happens, then I will... or, If only so and so would do this, then I would do that... or, I would be happy if... or, I will be satisfied when..."

In longing for some future good, we forget that every day,--regardless of the weather or our circumstances--is a gift from God to be used for His glory. 

According to author Ron Ash, "We are where we need to be and learning what we need to learn. Stay the course because the things we experience today will lead us to where He needs us to be tomorrow."

In every season, there is a reason to rejoice and an opportunity to do good. (Eccl. 3:12). The challenge for each of us every day is to find something to rejoice about and some good to do--and then to do both. --Julie Ackerman Link

Just as the winter turns to spring,

Our lives have changing seasons too;

So when a gloomy forecast comes,

Remember--God has plans for you. --Sper

REFLECT ON THIS:

Every season brings a season to rejoice.