A time for everything.

I heard a wonderful quote on the radio this morning and it has stuck with me all day. My heart has meditated on it and it just seems fitting to share here on my blog, along with a familiar passage of scripture. I have gotten several emails the past few weeks and so I just pray that these words will fall on the hearts of those people especially, who need some truth to hang onto at this time in life.
I don't know what some of you are going through- the hurts and struggles that life is handing you at this time, but I do know that there is comfort and Hope and Peace- even in the darkest moments. You may not know why or how or what purpose this time is serving in your life, but I hope that you can sense that something better is coming. It may not happen quickly. Or according to your time table...but God can be trusted to see you through. He makes ALL things beautiful. In HIS time.
Here is the quote I want to share with you, as well as some verses from scripture-
"No matter how deep the valley may be, there is always a mountaintop on eitherside. The way out of the valley leads to a mountaintop- no matter which path you may choose."
Ecclesiates 3:1-11
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
To those of you who may need it, I offer my love, thoughts, care and prayer for you today. I don't know what you need to get out of your particular valley...but God knows. And He sees all and loves you more than you can imagine. My prayer is that you won't allow your suffering to turn your heart cold and bitter...but rather that you will seek to take one small step after another, until you begin to see the mountaintop. It's not always an easy journey. Sometimes it's long and difficult and seems to have no end. But I urge you not to give up. There is much blessing and rejoicing when you get out of the valley and look back at it from the top of the mountain. Your perspective and heart will change...and life will never be the same again. That is the gift of the valley. You wouldn't choose to go through it...but it is breathtaking and you will stand in awe as you look back and see the beauty of this place from a different vantage point.
Yes, there is a time for everything. May you embrace the place where you stand today...and look forward with renewed strength for the next step you will take. All my best as you travel your life's journey. ~ Jody