Seasons

Recently I had the opportunity to get back out to Colorado and spend some much needed quiet time in the mountains.

One afternoon, I decided to drive into Rocky Mountain National Park. What I saw when I arrived was desolation. I saw closed trails and empty roads. I saw a ranger station that was completely destroyed.  Pine trees were burnt orange. What once stood tall as the mighty majestic Aspens, were now only toasted black telephone poles- all bent and broken in half. 

What I was seeing was the remnants of the most recent Colorado forest fires that destroyed over 30,000 acres inside of the park.  It broke my heart while at the same time reminded me that death and destruction can be found anywhere, even in the most beautiful places on earth. 

I found it astonishing how the dead trees and blackened rocks stood out even more amidst the backdrop of the glistening, white and peaceful snow. It was a eerie stark contrast. 

All I could think about was the devastation of all that was good and living. But then, I was filled with the reminder that as a Christ follower, after death, comes life. The sadness I was feeling at the sight before my eyes, quickly vanished and turned into hope of the things to come. Although dead now, I knew there would eventually come new growth with each spring season. 

That’s where I find myself today. It feels like my life has been ravaged by a forest fire. There are parts of me that will never be the same. But each new season brings a little more growth. 

The National Geographic Society says that fire removes low-growing underbrush, cleans the forest floor of debris, while opening it up to sunlight, and nourishing  the soil. Fire also reduces the competition for nutrients which allows established trees to grow stronger and healthier. 

I am thankful for fresh starts and for next seasons in life. Isn’t it encouraging to know that like forest fires, our own devastations can actually make us stronger and healthier!

So ask yourself this question. When you see the destruction, is that the only thing you see? Or do you see the possibility of the future beauty that lies ahead? 

When the world only sees our failures and disappointments, God sees the future glory that is to come. He is an expert at turning devastation into new life, one season at a time. Jesus redeems, refines and makes all things new! 

I found no coincidence that on the same day, while out hiking, I met a couple from Wisconsin who had recently experienced major grief and loss through a miscarriage. We spoke for a while and then they asked me to take a photo. It wasn’t just your typical hiking photo. This photo was to announce to their friends and family back home that they were pregnant, and this time far enough along to know they were having a boy! It was beautiful! With the mountains in the background, they smiled as they proudly held up the ultrasound photo of their son. I couldn’t help but smile, as I thought about how God turned their devastation into joy!

God is in the restoration business, but it’s important to remember that just as replenishing a national forest doesn’t happen overnight; neither does the healing of our hearts. Destruction happens. Marriages fail, sicknesses come, jobs are lost. Diagnosis’s, miscarriages, death, abuse, suicide, addiction, depression, tragedy; we all have our versions of destruction. 

The enemy will try to convince us to hide our pain, cover our shame, stay isolated and remain silent. I am here to tell you DO NOT DO THAT!

We do not have to stay dead in the ashes!

Take one season at a time, and look for smalls ways to grow. Find things to be thankful for, especially in the hard times. Hold your head high. Be kind to yourself. Surround yourself with people who love you - the ones who will be in the battle with you. Do something you’ve never done before. Go somewhere you’ve never gone before.

When the fires of life hit, and they will: remember this. You are not alone.

Remember the Aspen tree. Even it must first start off as a tiny sapling before it can dream about becoming the strong majestic beauty on the mountainside once again. 

 Ask God to help you. Trust Him. He loves to take our ashes and turn them into beauty.

-Tami