What Winter And Spring Taught Me
As we all know seasons are always truly unpredictable and honestly unprepared. Some seasons are better than others. More colorful than the harshness of the cold. Looking back on this past winter a lot of unexpected rain came flowing down here in Southern California. I’ve never seen that much rain here and to top it off it actually snowed all around Los Angeles County and in Santa Monica! Never say never right. It all put so many joy and excitement on people’s faces. I know that was the mercy and love of God. But Winter also taught me a few tough lessons too as well. For us to grow into our full selves we also have take in the good along with the bad. The stuff we don’t like. A hard lesson I learned this past Winter humility and correction.
A couple of people who I used to do life with just came back into my life. Now, nothing was wrong with these people no crazy harm necessarily done to either party. To be honest not glad to say but I just let them go. Whatever small differences we had during that time was enough to just walk away. Looking back, I shouldn’t have done that. I should’ve fought for our friendship. It’s funny how you think things don’t come back around again. Well, in both situations it came back not online or social media but face to face. You know that awkwardness of can’t hide anymore? Well, I wasn’t hiding just didn’t think I would see them again. It was a crucial 30 minutes of listening. Listening to understand. Pride didn’t come up once. Nor blasting my input or perspective wasn’t needed nor wanted. It was my fault. So I sat and took it all in. Of course, I apologized and asked how they felt about me now. If they wanted to restore. I had to put it all in God’s hands and it was in theirs. They both said yes and I’m grateful. Now we are moving forward into the new together. It’s not easy to take it but it’s worth it especially to the person who’s hurting.
Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
My friends could have not come up to me and told me how they felt which was very mature no drama whatsoever in our conversation. Two civilized people just trying to work things out and give each other a chance. That’s real love right there well to me anyways. When people say hey our relationship matters. Idk what happened but let’s at least try and forgive. How is anything worth it if there isn’t that perspective of mercy and grace. Yes it might be a big pill to take but some things are worth it. Life is crazy, the devil is busy, and people can just get lost. That’s why I love that God is a good God of the second, third, fourth, fifth chance. If we are made in His image which we are then shouldn’t we respond the same? All honesty ….. yes.
Spring
Walking in the cold and correction of Winter into the beauty of Spring. My favorite season has taught me that it is okay to be hidden for a time then bloom slowly into what God has put your hands too. For example, social media used to have a hold on me. Pretty sure I am not alone in this. The objective of these apps are designed for people to be glued to their phones and think they need to post about every single thing in their lives. Well, I too have felt this pressure go figure. So, to get that out of my system I just took a break from it. And started to invest in being more present in my relationships around me. I found that time has slowed down. I’m in the moment. I’m more productive. Learning piano, songwriting more often, talking on the phone with people, meeting up with my friends etc. Just having a life focused on actual life. My life. Somewhere in there I feel sometimes I have to post so that people can know exactly know what I am doing. The “highlights” of my life. Now, I get it you’re at a kool dinner spot, at the beach or with the one you love. Show off of course however, I feel if it isn’t authentic and forced to the demand of posting for the sake of posting then is it real? Are you in the moment? Can you smell where you are in that moment? Can you touch that person’s body to remember how they felt years from now? I’ve felt that pressure and I ‘ve relaxed on it. I feel in the context of Spring. The flowers which I love I mean what girl doesn’t. Flowers don’t come up under the pressure and force themselves to bloom in all their beauty because they are afraid, but they take their time to grow, spin, to drive into their color and form. They bloom when it’s time. In this development of my life I feel The Lord tell me “Don’t be in a rush to shine”. “Let Me cultivate you, your talents and gifts. I know the time. It will come. It will be just right and you will be ready.” The slow way around is always the safest way my grandmother would say hence my mother to as well. And they are so right. So, now I’m just a bud but the bud will bloom and I know it will be worth it. The lessons in the waiting.
“Consider how the wildflowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these “
Luke 12:27
I wonder what lessons Winter and Spring have taught you…… Let me know and just go with God.
Your Friend
Ashley
