ACCEPTANCE

Acceptance, I've come to learn, is one of the keys to resting. When I do not accept certain things about myself or my circumstances (or others), it is impossible for me to be at rest. Because then I am constantly striving or wishing for something different than what is. Acceptance is the humility to acknowlege that the circumstances are the best because God has ordered them to be so; and that I am exactly who I need to be for this moment. Change comes only from God. So acceptance means relinquishing my desire for control and allowing Him to take full responsibility for my life. As I do that, I am effectively hiding myself in His will - and in that sacred place, I find rest.

I'M JEALOUS OF THE MAPLE TREES

Yep, after 3 months hiatus, I'm back. :) And I just want to say, watching these maple trees in our yard go from bare branches to full foliage in a matter of weeks makes me just a teensy bit jealous. I wish I could grow that fast.

I've been home for just over five months now and I still feel like my branches are bare. Oh there are days when I feel like there's almost some budding happening. But most days, it's still a struggle to keep hoping and tell myself despair is only a feeling and not to base my understanding of life on it.

I made a comment about the trees to my mom the other day and her reply encouraged me. She said that they have to grow their leaves quickly because summer is such a short season here. In my case, however, God willing, I still have quite some time ahead of me before my "summer" is over. Here's the redeeming truth: He makes all things beautiful in His time.