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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Winter (11/14/05)
Many people often wonder in what season they are in their life. Just as certain regions of the world have seasonable changes so do we in our lives. The bible teaches us that “to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up, that which is, planted” (Ecc. 3:1-2, KJV).

Somehow it seems the fall and winter seasons of our life is the most dreaded. We have such an inclination to want the best all the time. We seem to only want the spring and summer seasons of life to come around and bless us. Truly, it is in our fall and winter seasons that God builds our character and refines our faith. Can we be just as thankful for the fall and winter seasons as we are for the spring and summertime? It is interesting, how in the fall, leaves die, yet it is in their dying they are the most beautiful, the colors, the foliage how amazing. The warmth of the sun and the singing of the crickets dissipate. Yet after the leaves have all fallen, by winters turn, the trees from which they fell stand bare, naked before God. Each branch is as if arms raised praising God. The winter somehow lends us a stillness and a quietness of no other season.

In our lives, every now and then comes a winter season. With this season in our life that which gathered around us bloomed and blossomed because of that which we have sown begin to fall off. Our friends, some family members, projects we worked on, careers and yes even ministries begin to take on a life of its own and it appears as though we are no longer needed. This falling off or change of life does not feel beautiful. We become isolated by that which we supported through the grace of God. After which then takes off on its own to become totally dependent on God. But we find it painful, some perceive it as betrayal. Like the naked bare tree, still praising God with its branches, can we stand naked and bare before God, after all have fallen away? Are we able to still praise him in our nakedness after all have fallen off? We must get to the place when all has us standing cold and naked we must remain confident in God and continue steadfast because seasons come time and time again. Let us appreciate our winter season. This is the best time to sow praises and blessings unto our Heavenly Father to reap a due harvest in the spring and summer times of our life.
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This article has been read 977 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Jan Ackerson
11/21/05
Truly, it is in our fall and winter seasons that God builds our character and refines our faith.

Perfectly written, and perfectly true!
Helen Harris
11/26/05
I Love this entry because this is Excellent writing, and truthfully Well said. I got to stop writing, “this look like the Winning One” when I read and think,“This must be the one!” This is a Wonderful Write. I believe, we all are winners at FaithWriters, even if we are not the top Five or eight because we Love Writing. Oh wow, I am thinking a top winner again. I had recited Ecc. 3:1-8, KJV before; had no problems. This one time when our church was packed with visiting churches and when I got up to recite, “To Every Thing There Is A Season;” I started off well, but when I got to “a time to keep silence,” I couldn’t say another word, The whole church became so quite, you could hear a leaf fall.
A Blessing Write. Helen
Carla Feagans
11/27/05
I absolutely loved this piece. I loved how it was written and the message you portrayed. Your imagery was beautiful. This article was written how I wish I could write.

One constructive comment, as much as I loved how you write, I think you need a stronger beginning and end. The beginning didn't hook me, but everything after that was amazing. You came to the end well, but again, the very end left me wanting more. Tweak those two parts, the rest is wonderful as is.
HTH!