Friday, January 11, 2008

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

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amazing! Just what I needed to hear today. Thank you.

Tammy

Gitz 'n Jo said...

Thank you.

Steph J said...

Thanks Jodi. I have been reading Eccelesiates too. It is good to remember that everything happens in God's time.

Anonymous said...

Jody,
I don't know how I got here, reading your blog tonight, but these are words I so needed to hear. They are words I want to speak to the heart of my darling daughter, who has been struggling with an eating disorder since she was 12; she just turned 18.
So much has been invested in recovery; so much has been lost to her illness. Sometimes we both feel hopeless, I think.
Thank you tonight for the reminder that in His time, God can and will bring beauty from ashes, and restore what the locusts have eaten. If we take His hand and trust Him, He will lead us out and eventually home.
What sweet peace!
LaureAnn

Michelle McGee said...

thanks

Keiauni said...

just gave birth to my first daughter... reading this brought me some perspective... It is okay to slow down...there is a season for everything, a time for everything...

finding JOY IN OUR JOURNEY, is god's wish for all of us... reading your blog is a blessing to me... thank you.

keiauni

Just Me said...

Thanks so much for this! I am gradually working my way out of a "funk" (I suppose "valley" may be an appropriate term!) and this was a great reminder. It IS an interesting "twist" to see the mountain as where you want to go, rather than being the hurdle you need to overcome...I like that!

Anonymous said...

Jodi, you totally AMAZE me. Thanks so much for your inspiring blog entry today.

corinne5 said...

beautiful post and I do not know if you have seen this yet or not but this makes me cry everytime I watch it, so powerful:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA

corinnexxx

Anonymous said...

thanks. i needed this.

Anonymous said...

jody....thank you...x

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much. I've been going through a valley of sorrow myself - so it's really great to reassure myself that there's a way out. And that this pain makes sense.

Christa said...

Everyday I visit your blog and everyday your words have such a profound impact and really make me think and boy this post just what I needed to hear..thank you so much for your strength and guidance.

Song said...

God certainly has his hand on you Jody. Thank you for sharing this.

Unknown said...

Amazing how your read something and it hits home...Even though this post is dated several days ago, I really needed it right now...Thanks!

~kim