by Rhonda Barnes ![]() I live in Missouri, where we typically have four distinct seasons each year. We are in one of those changes of seasons now where many activities are shifting, the weather is altering, and change is in the air. In our natural and spiritual lives, we will also experience seasons. How we navigate these times can determine our future success. I sit now looking out the window of a lake home I have loved for the past twelve years. It has been called my “happy place,” has served as a get-away from work and life challenges, and has been a wonderful place to spend time with family. While this place is full of great memories, it has been a season that is about to change. In just three days we will say goodbye to this place. I sat here this morning praying that the Lord would help me correctly process my emotions. I was reminded of the Sunday afternoon that followed taking my first-born son to college. I honestly thought I would choke to death that day before as I said those brave goodbyes in the dorm, while my son was giving me the eye that let me know I better not break down in front of is new friends. It was the next day as I lay across his bed in his old bedroom, knowing he would never live under my roof again, that I began to process the change of season. I didn’t want to live in sadness, so I let the tears flow, while I remembered all the amazing memories we had made together so far in his life. I had to let go and treasure those moments to release him into his next. Now as I look back 19 years later, I see the beauty in his next seasons. He has a successful clinical pharmacy career, a beautiful wife, and two amazing children. A reminder that life is full of seasons! Goodbyes and last times can be challenging for our human emotions, but that famous verse found in Ecclesiastes says, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven” (3:1 NLT). Instead, we should try to focus on the new beginnings, on the firsts, and on the exciting next God has planned for us. Sadly, many never experience God’s best for their lives because they are stuck in the past--both past failures and past victories. We can’t live our lives too focused on the rear-view mirror. When we use it appropriately, it provides us with some perception and caution, but our vision must be forward focused. If you find yourself in a busy or difficult season in your life right now, don’t necessarily wish it away. You will never have this moment again. Stop and ask yourself, “What does God want me to do with this season?” He uses our best and worst times for a purpose…if we will just allow Him to do so. I pray God will bless you during your current season and help you to experience His best plan for your life! This article is a reprint of this previous blogpost from Rhonda's website, SecretPlaceRevelation.com. ![]() Rhonda Barnes is an author, speaker, Christian blogger, and gifted teacher of God’s Word. Rhonda is ordained with the Assemblies of God, and currently serves as the Associate Pastor at Grace Community Church in Salem, Missouri. Rhonda’s first book, Road to Transformation, Journey to God’s Glory, was released in 2014. Since then, she launched the Christian teaching blog Secret Place Revelation, inspired by Psalm 91:1. In 2017, she released two additional books, Keys to the Kingdom, and It is Written. Rhonda is passionate about sharing the truths of God’s Word and enjoys writing, speaking in many settings, and teaching small groups. To contact Rhonda, please visit secretplacerevelation.com or email [email protected].
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by Pam Morton Sweat trickled down my forehead as I opened what I deemed “The Absolute Last Box of the Day.” We recently moved into a new town, new community, new home, and I had the boxes to prove it. I was anxious to unpack our items so I could feel a sense of familiarity and settledness. I didn’t realize how much I wanted this until I looked around the garage and saw the chaos I had created with packing materials, empty boxes, and bubble wrap in the frenzy just to get it done. Now as I began unearthing the final items, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Carefully wrapped in layers of brown paper was a tiny Pillsbury Doughboy® holding a pumpkin. What? I laughed some more. Could these be...? Are they...? YES! As I continued to unroll the paper, Pillsbury Doughboy® figurines in varying poses began to emerge. PBDB holding a heart. PBDB waving a flag. Even PBDB sporting a green vest for St. Patrick’s Day. Twelve of these gems in all. ![]() "Carefully wrapped in layers of brown paper was a tiny Pillsbury Doughboy®..." I paused and wondered how long it had been since I had actually displayed these in our home. 2008! Wow! Fifteen years. 2008 was the year we packed up our Missouri lives and moved to the Middle East. All of the items I couldn’t part with had been carefully stored in my in-laws’ home until now. Our new AGWM assignment is with Missionary Kids (MKs), so we are State-based, which means…the PBDB Crew could once again see the light of day! Or would they? Off to my right, a pile of decos from our lives in Africa and Israel needed a place to go. How could I mesh Shabbat candlesticks, a Beja sword, and PBDB into a cohesive look that the Property Brothers would like? I stood in the center of it all and sighed. This was a summation of my life displayed in decos. Yes, I still like the Pillsbury Doughboy® figurines. Why? I don’t know if I’ll ever have an answer to that question. But I also like the candlesticks and the sword. They all represent places I’ve lived and the dear people with whom I’ve shared life. They represent the person I’ve become since Pam Version 2008 first packed her house. I’m not sure where these will all end up in our home, but they each will have a place. Upon visits, our neighbors may find it weird or eccentric, but I’m okay with that. We’ll call them conversation starters and see where it goes. The Lord has helped us through many (and I mean many!) moves. Some were voluntary and some were not. We had seasons that were warm and inviting like the Shabbat candlesticks and some that were sharp and gutting like the Beja sword. Yet, I can’t mention one without the other, because I discovered different facets of the Lord’s care through the days and the nights of the soul. I’m grateful, and our home will reflect all of it. And the Pillsbury Doughboy®? Well…he gets a spot, because at the end of the day, who doesn’t want to dress up for a holiday and eat a warm biscuit? ![]() Pam, her husband, John, and two teenaged daughters packed up their fulfilling, understood Midwestern lives and moved to Cairo, Egypt in 2008. Her dream of serving overseas became a shocking reality of daily cultural encounters that often left her wondering if she’d actually landed on Mars instead! From Cairo to Khartoum to Upper Egypt to Israel, Pam learned, lived, and thrived in a sandy, sweaty, hospitable land. Pam and John's new assignment provides support to MKs and their families through TCK International Academy and parent mentoring. Pam loves to connect with her church family to encourage, laugh and inspire. (www.johnandpammorton.com). Pam and John have two married daughters and are smitten with their three granddaughters. |
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