Verna Bowman

Encouraging Women One Story at a Time

Psalm 27:13
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Shifting Seasons

October 17, 2015 By Verna Bowman 20 Comments

Most of us look forward to the changing of seasons, especially when earth turns technicolor. I do. But then there’s the other side – when clocks turn ahead and speed time and darkness.  It’s all about the focus.

Changing-seasons1-1024x767It’s the same with personal seasons – when frailty collides with the way we see it.

Once again, as this season of crisis would have it, I’m spending a few calendar pages in hospitals and nursing facilities among those who begged against it  – every one of them once expected to stay well and able. I just know it.

I pause in corridors to observe once strong men who provided for families now depend on chairs with wheels to move them from one place to another – and capable women who raised babies and kept homes now sit alone in an antiseptic room filled with memories in a frame.

They have a story of when time stood still yet passed so quickly.

It triggers despair if I look at their now. But they had a then.

To have hope in the no-matter-the-season may sound like fluff-filled answers rather than a sure promise from the One who can spin it into gold. But, I’ve seen it happen, haven’t you?

Because nothing stays the same. David went from a sheep pasture to a throne. Peter was a fisherman who became the Rock of the church. Joseph went from pit to palace to rule Egypt. And Mary went from peasant to parent of the Messiah.

Grace gives ability to embrace the season.

When God shifts our lives – our responsibility is to shift our focus. We can choose to see the bitter-sweetness of autumn (and ourselves) as a multi-colored glow or the withered and fallen that once was.

Life is a cache of colored moments of grace.

May the days ahead allow you (and me) to see the days ahead . . .

Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way where I should walk for I lift up my inner self to you. Psalm 143:8

 

 

Be blessed,
Verna

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Tagged With: #verna bowman, Hope, Psalm 143:8, season of life, seasons

Comments

  1. Carolyn Knefely says

    October 17, 2015 at 2:19 am

    Beautifully written, Verna.

    Like picking up a stunning leave, I’ll keep this sentence you wrote, “Grace gives ability to embrace the season.” It’s a real treasure.

    Write on!

    Reply
    • Verna Bowman says

      October 17, 2015 at 2:11 pm

      Thank you, Carolyn! Only grace helps us learn to own the reality of the Word that tells us it is sufficient, no matter 🙂

      Reply
  2. Frances Gregory Pasch says

    October 17, 2015 at 9:05 am

    Love this devotion, Verna. Especially these lines, “When God shifts our lives – our responsibility is to shift our focus. We can choose to see the bitter-sweetness of autumn (and ourselves) as a multi-colored glow or the withered and fallen that once was.”

    Reply
    • Verna Bowman says

      October 17, 2015 at 2:15 pm

      Thank you for visiting and sending these encouraging words, Fran! It’s our choice to look in the direction that brings hope . . .

      Reply
  3. Bonnie Smith says

    October 17, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    Beautifully written. Tears in my eyes as we walk this path again. Love you much.

    Reply
    • Verna Bowman says

      October 18, 2015 at 6:39 pm

      Thank you, dear Bonnie . . . for the loving comment and for walking this path with me for so long . . .

      Reply
  4. Teresa Lasher says

    October 18, 2015 at 7:40 am

    Well said. Changing seasons, shift our focus. Our focus really does matter. Thank you for sharing these thoughtful, wise words from Him. Write on, my sister-friend. Teresa

    Reply
    • Verna Bowman says

      October 18, 2015 at 6:42 pm

      Loved having just these few words with you, Teresa . . yes, sometimes so many broken pieces block our view – it’s important to look further at the wholeness down the way 🙂 Bless you!

      Reply
  5. Maureen Hager says

    October 18, 2015 at 10:45 am

    Verna, A beautiful reminder of changing seasons in our lives.

    Reply
    • Verna Bowman says

      October 18, 2015 at 6:44 pm

      Yes, and sometimes we don’t know where we are on the journey till we catch up to the change,Maureen! Thank you so much for stopping to leave a loving comment.

      Reply
  6. Lynda Stear says

    October 18, 2015 at 12:50 pm

    Verna,
    I worked in nursing homes, and, yes, everyone has a life story, but unfortunately many loved ones are forgotten. God is still writing your story, Verna. You are grounded in your faith, but at the same time, life-circumstances prompted you to refocus. Life experiences during our senior years are part of the continuum of life until we go Home. Your blogs always get me thinking , for I, too, have had to refocus recently and hear reassurance in your words. Thank-you.

    Reply
    • Verna Bowman says

      October 18, 2015 at 6:49 pm

      And this has me grateful, dear writing friend, that you understand and that these words would bring reassurance and re-focus. . . I hope it continues . . .

      Reply
  7. Glenda Mills says

    October 18, 2015 at 5:29 pm

    Beautiful Verna. God continues to shift and sharpen your focus to see things through heavens perspective and gives you the ability to weave words of wisdom, grace and encouragement to others. Thank you for sharing. Lvu

    Reply
    • Verna Bowman says

      October 18, 2015 at 6:50 pm

      Oh Glenda – you always say the kindest words to bless me – thank you, dear friend.

      Reply
  8. Laura Acuna says

    October 18, 2015 at 8:54 pm

    So beautiful Verna. You are a wise woman — your wisdom comes from a life lived in obedience to the Lord. I appreciate your kindness and humility both in person and on the written page. Thank you for showing us how to walk through the coming seasons — such a beautiful perspective.

    Reply
    • Verna Bowman says

      October 19, 2015 at 6:03 pm

      It was so great serving together in Maryland – won’t forget our time there, Laura! You’re an encourager dear sister-friend, thank you for these kind words.

      Reply
  9. Liz Cowen Furman says

    October 20, 2015 at 8:23 pm

    Wow Verna I have been walking those halls myself lately. Great perspective you shared here. Thanks. I’m praying for His perspective on everything.

    Reply
    • Verna Bowman says

      October 21, 2015 at 7:41 pm

      Praying with you, dear sister – know the halls well 🙂

      Reply
  10. Jessie says

    October 21, 2015 at 7:41 am

    Thanks, verna. You always inspire me. So glad I waited till today to read this as I am going to say good-bye to my dear 101 yr old friend, Dora today. My heartbreaks as I think about it but recl the fullness of her life. I love you dearly, lady!

    Reply
    • Verna Bowman says

      October 21, 2015 at 7:44 pm

      Thank you, Jessie, your comment inspires me! And how many beautiful seasons of life Dora must’ve experienced in her ordained century! Love you dearly, also!

      Reply

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But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses.  You are saved by grace.  Ephesians 2:4-5

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Verna Bowman
Crumbs Along the Broken Path
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