Fountains of Life

Changing Seasons

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I was meeting a friend of mine the other day and I’d arrived at the location several minutes before the set time. She, on the other hand, arrived several minutes after it and said to me, “You must be a morning person.” Responding quickly and smiling I said, “In this season of my life I am.” Because there was a time when I was more of a night person, sometimes studying late in college, other times with a nursing infant, or a dating teenager. But seasons change as we go through life.

Another friend and I recently came back from seeing the Fall colors up in the North Georgia Mountains. We Floridians don’t see leaves changing their colors much so it’s beautiful to see God’s glory in the vast shades of reds and yellows when we have an opportunity. Yet within the short time of being there, most of the colors had faded and the trees were almost completely barren — a seasonal change. 

All of us go through seasonal changes and do you realize that Jesus did too? Here’s one example.

In the second chapter of John we find Jesus, his disciples, and his mother at a wedding in Cana. When his mother found out that they’d run out of wine, she asked Jesus to help. But note how her son replied, “Woman, why do you involve me? My hour has not yet come.” (v.4) Then in the very next verse, like a good Jewish mom, she said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you,” and, Wham!, Jesus’ season had changed.

Changes of seasons come and go throughout our lifetime, it’s normal. Leaving home, going off to college, joining the military, getting married, having a baby, living in an empty nest, all of these are different seasons. Losing a loved one — be it a spouse, parent, family member, or friend — also causes a seasonal change, A seasonal change simply means altering our lifestyle, which can occur even with switching a job or location.

As much as we may not like them sometimes, God created seasonal changes as a part of life. As the Byrds sang from Ecclesiastes 3 many years ago, “To everything there is a season.”

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. (Vs. 1-8)

And the best verse of all, verse 11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

Colors continuously change around us and experiences bring different shades into our lives, but it’s easier to embrace the seasonal changes we go through knowing that Father God always remains the same. He never changes. (Heb. 13:8) He’s a constant source of stability within a change. So in whatever season we’re in now or in the process of changing, we can know that He’s with us, He loves us, and it will be beautiful.

My Father’s Voice

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By Cyndi

I was probably about 16 years old when our family first entered a “bikini cup” race here on the St. Johns River. This was a sailboat race where at least half of the crew had to be women and a female had to be steering the entire time. For our family — a dad, mom, and two daughters — the qualifications were no problem.

My family had sailed on the river for years and had even raced in a few other races, but normally I was part of the crew. I’d wench in sails, let them out, and stare at the little tell-tale pieces of yarn on the luff hoping to set it to the fastest position. But this time I was appointed the helmsman. Of course, my dad stayed as captain and overseer, but I was the one driving.

Unlike daysailing, racing was a little stressful, especially at the beginning when all the boats are tacking back and forth waiting to cross the starting line. Everyone is under sail, not motors, so there’s quite a skill in this. My dad helped me get into a good position and prepare for the start gun.

As the cannon boomed, we trimmed the sails and took off on a beam reach heading north towards Marker 3, the first turn. Sailing side by side, we were with a bunch of other boats at first, then after a while they all spread out taking different routes using different strategies. Each of us was hoping to get to the marker first and ultimately win the race.

My father was a good sailor and had taught us well, so I was very attentive to all the direction he was giving me at the helm as we glided along in the nice breeze.

When we were approaching the first turning point, the boats began compacting, each one hoping to round the marker as close as possible without loosing any speed or accidentally hitting it. My anxiety jacked up as you could almost touch the boat right next to you we were so crowded. I wasn’t sure how we were going to change directions in this cramped situation and I was in charge of driving this thing! My heart was beating so fast; it was intense!

But the voice of my father kept me focused. “Not yet… not yet…” he said patiently as the nearby boats felt inches apart. “Wait a bit…”, I was about to panic! Then suddenly he said, “NOW!” and in blind faith I shouted “TACK!” and swung the tiller to the other side. Sails were luffing loudly, wenches were grinding, people were yelling, and all the boats switched directions at once, rounding the marker like a group of choreographed ballet dancers in a row. Quickly trimming up and setting their sails, the boats took off down the river onto the next leg of the race. We’d made the turn well and without incident. I was relieved. 

That was my first marker rounding in a race being at the helm steering on my own. Fortunately, as I mentioned beforehand, I wasn’t on my own. My father guided me through every stage of it. This truly was a “marker moment” in my life (no pun intended). In that race, I knew if I only did what my father told me to do, trusting him, it’d be okay and things would work out. 

It’s been many years since my dad has passed away but that day on the river at Marker 3 was a lesson I’ve never forgotten. Today, I see my Heavenly Father watching over me, calmly guiding and directing me just like my earthly father did in that race. Sometimes I’m anxious or don’t always know when to change directions or make a move, but He does. I just need to listen to my Father’s voice. 

(By the way, we took 3rd place in our class in that race and I still keep the little silver cup on my bookshelf.)

 

Looking For Acceptance

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By Cyndi

There’s a friend I surf with sometimes who’s a real hoot. She has a pretty loud and boisterous personality, yelling at missed waves, cheering on others for nice rides, and is overall very animated out in the lineup. It’s always fun surfing with her, yet, I can feel something behind all of that “noise” she makes. I believeshe’s looking for love and acceptance. And mercifully, I think she receives it within our little surfing community. 

But aren’t we all looking for that love and acceptance? Don’t we all want to feel worthy of being loved? Received just as we are by others?

Not everyone is as accepting and caring as our gang in the water. People can be rude, harsh, even downright mean sometimes. I’ve watched a man whip into a parking place before the lady who was patiently waiting for the person to pull out of it could pull in. I’ve also seen a person standing in line at the post office, complaining the whole time about the wait and the poor service, just fussing to everyone. She was so negative and judgmental. 

It’s very easy to judge the people around us without any thought of what they may be going through or their situations.

Fortunately, we have Someone who doesn’t judge us but loves us unconditionally. Father God accepts me just the way I am, faults and all. I don’t have to prove myself to anyone or any group that I’m worthy of acceptance and love because I know I’m a beloved daughter of the King.

Jer. 31: 3 is one of my favorite verses. It says He has loved me with an “everlasting love.”  That’s a never-ending love; a love that’s always there in every place and every situation. And because I know this, it’s my joy to receive this love and give it away to others — like my friend.

I don’t believe my friend knows God, but I’m hoping as I love and accept her as I am loved and accepted by my Father, that she’ll come to know Him too. I know she’s worthy of the same love that I’ve been given, so I’ll continue hooting for her waves and hanging out with her in the water, and pray for her to accept the One who accepts her just as she is. 

Have you got any friends looking for acceptance?

Struggles in the Water

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By Cyndi

Surfing isn’t a sport you can practice in your bedroom, in your backyard, or somewhere all by yourself where no one can see you. Nope. The majority of the time there are anywhere from a few to many people surrounding you in the water and on the beach when you “practice” surfing. It’s a public thing—the ocean is open to all and waves are free. So as much as I try to find a spot in the lineup without too many people, there are still those who get to see me in ‘all my glory’ make mistakes out in the open in front of everyone. 

Since I’ve always preferred being “behind the scenes,” surfing in front of everyone — especially really good surfers — has brought to light some of the shame, fear, and rejection that has been hidden within me. Am I as good as them? Am I worthy to be out here surfing too? By the way I surf, can I really call myself a surfer? 

Shame tells me I’m going to humiliate myself and look foolish. Fear tells me why should I even try, I’m too old for this, I’m gonna get hurt. Which leads to rejection telling me, I don’t belong here with everyone else, I’m not accepted, I’m not good enough.

This is what’s going through my head on a bad day, when I’m not resting in Father’s love. Notice how everything that shame, fear, and rejection tell me has to do with other people’s view of me? But why should that matter if I know deeply that Father God loves me no matter what? If I already have the approval, acceptance, and admiration of God Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, why should I worry about what anyone else thinks?

So on a good day, I’m secure in His love when I go surfing. Yes, I usually do make a fool out of myself and I wipeout a lot, but I don’t care. I’m having fun and communion with Jesus in the salty waters of the Atlantic Ocean. To me it doesn’t matter what others think — which, by the way, I’ve found some really sweet locals that are encouraging and welcoming — I know that I’m not out here to prove anything to anybody. I just want to enjoy nature, get some exercise and have fun!

Yes, I still battle with some of that shame, fear, and rejection at times. I mean, who really likes to make mistakes in front of everyone all the time? But I try to not let that stop me. I know I’m older and slower and will never be a great surfer, but it doesn’t matter. I rest in knowing that I am loved just as I am, not needing anything from anyone but my Father. Then I get in the water and savor His beautiful Creation here in northeast Florida with the sunshine, the dolphins, the wind, and the awesome feeling of riding a wave. 

A Reminder

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There are so many versions of the Bible out these days; I like to read through different ones at times to see what God may speak to me from them. I ran across these verses in The Passion Translation the other day and I thought it was great. 

Romans 8:14-16— The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit. And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty,” leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance,” enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as he rises up within us, our spirits join him in saying the words of tender affection, “Beloved Father!” For the Holy Spirit makes God’s fatherhood real to us as he whispers into our innermost being, “You are God’s beloved child!”

Wow! I put some of those phrases in bold letters for my sake! (And hope they speak to you too.) Let’s look at these for a quick moment.

    • The fear of never being good enough. 

Do you ever feel this way? I do sometimes. Just the other day I said something to someone, and the minute it came out of my mouth I regretted it. It wasn’t very nice and I couldn’t help but want to chastise myself for my ugly behavior. I always keep doing or saying something wrong! Yet, I have—

    • Full acceptance…into the family of God.

After I’d said this ugly judgement over someone, Father God reminded me that I’m still accepted into the family of God no matter what my behavior is. He accepts and receives me just as I am, faults and all. (Though I still needed to repent.)

    • You will never feel orphaned.

An orphan has no parents, no one who loves and takes care of them. When I was sick a few weeks ago, my husband did a great job of taking care of me, however, he wasn’t there 24/7. So when I was lying in bed in the middle of the day (and he was at work) I knew that Jesus was there watching over me and healing me. (He also gave me a precious kitty who slept with me to make me feel better.)

    • The Holy Spirit makes God’s fatherhood real to me…and that I’m His beloved child. 

Father God constantly reminds me that it’s not my behavior that keeps me in relationship with him — it’s who I am, His child. I’m part of His bloodline. As a father, I can come to Him seeking wisdom or comfort. Whatever I need, He’s there for me, a true Father who takes care of me.  

I really liked the wording of these verses in this translation. This was a great reminder I needed. Sometimes I forget how He genuinely sees me and how much He deeply loves me. I hope this reminds you too.

By Cyndi