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by Kim Oyler Many of you, like me, have been through difficult seasons in the church. Long seasons—Hurry, God! Dry Seasons—Send the rain, God! Painful seasons—Bind my wounds, God! Obscure seasons—Do you see me, God? Quiet seasons—Do you hear me, God?
As we embarked on this new and difficult season that I had never experienced, I asked the Lord “What is happening?” Simply put, I was sad, mad, and afraid. In that moment with the Lord, I was reflecting on a statement that a congregant had made to someone else in the church. His comment regarding our church was, “It looks like we’re going backwards.” It was an innocent statement. He didn’t mean any malice. He was just stating the facts. But I took it to heart. As I took that statement to the Lord, He replied to me with a picture of a child’s toy. It was a pull-back car. Do you remember the cars that you drug backwards and then released to speed across the floor? The Lord explained to me through this image that is what is happening right now. He went on to explain that it is the act of pulling backwards that creates the momentum to move forward!!! I knew that I did not like the pulling back. In the moment, I was feeling the opposite of momentum. The pulling back felt more like a loss of time and effort rather than a preparation for movement. However, His timely words in the form of a picture reminded me that He is in charge and can see the big picture. His quick answer to my question also provided me with some needed encouragement for this next part of our journey. Next, the Lord reminded me of a time many years ago that I had been horseback riding in Colorado with my family. At the time, as we rode through the typically beautiful mountainous region with strong and mighty pines surrounding us, we noticed that the trees were dying. They were brown and desolate looking. Our trail guide explained that the pine beetle had infiltrated the region and was killing hundreds if not thousands of trees. His next statement jarred me. He said, “We’re actually due for a forest fire.” The word due stuck-out to me. He went on to talk about this anticipated forest fire as if he was looking forward to it. I wrestled with the concept of looking forward to something so destructive. The truth was that the fire was exactly what they needed to stop the devastating path of the pine beetles. The fire that we usually associate with destruction would actually be used to restart life! What an amazing perspective to keep in mind as we face trials and setbacks. These pictures and memories that the Lord shared with me renewed my perspective. It renewed my strength to face the future. If you are in a season where it looks like you’re going backwards, I encourage you to look at this as a season of the pull-back car. Embrace every part of it, knowing that it is the pulling back that creates the momentum to propel you forward in your ministry! If you are in a season where it simply feels like everything is burning down, I encourage you to understand that sometimes the destruction of one thing is necessary to bring forth new life in a new area. Just as the forest fire itself enriches the soil and enables the forest to replenish itself in a healthier, brand-new way, we, too, can come through the fire enriched in many ways--growing our character, growing our faith, and growing our trust in the Lord. Today as I look outside and see the fresh, new growth of spring, I also see that my church is flourishing in new ways. The foundation is stronger and healthier than ever. We survived the fire! The Lord has sent new life and new growth in so many areas. A fire that was meant to destroy brought new life and a fresh start… and I am grateful! When we leaned in to the pulling back and let the Lord teach, reform, and guide, it created new momentum. I am thankful that His Word is true and that I can trust that these trials develop good things in me. They create opportunities for growth and equip me with the maturity and character needed in the next season. I have learned to persevere through trials, to trust in his ways so that I can be mature, lacking nothing. So, yes, I will rejoice in the hard even if it’s through tears. Yes, I will consider it joy as I face difficulty, knowing that His ways are so much better than mine!!!
 ABOUT OUR WRITER
Kim and her husband, Brad, have been in ministry 31 years, the last 12 years as copastors of Courageous Life Church in Independence, Missouri. They have two adult sons, 3 grandchildren and 2 middle school aged sons that keep them busy. Kim enjoys farm life and being outdoors, as well as writing and teaching. She is stepping into a new season of courage and obedience as she continues to grow in her walk with the Lord.
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by Linda Perkins There are two things we all have in common: 1) we all have or had a mother; and 2) we all have an opinion about Mother’s Day. The day is either loved or dreaded by many people, but especially women. There are many reasons for conflicting feelings. Did your thoughts immediately pull up an achingly beautiful memory of your sweet mama holding you in an embrace as she comforted you after a scraped knee or a wound to your heart? Perhaps you remember sitting beside her with heads bowed in prayer as her heart joined with yours over a choice you needed to make before a new adventure began in your life. Maybe your memories evoke the opposite feeling, as tears sting your eyes echoing hurtful, hateful words spoken to you and over you. You bristle at the pain or cower in shame, as those words spoken so long ago awaken that beast of failure and insignificance you still carry. Whatever your story or the circumstances of your arrival to life, you were formed by the Master Creator. He calls you the apple of His eye. You were never a mistake. He doesn’t make those. Sisters, we were fearfully and wonderfully created. So, for those born to mamas who struggled in life or those of us who have struggled ourselves, here is a poem for you: 
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