The Middle of the Story

Only a short few weeks left before I once again pack up my belongings, board a plane, and move to another place. School has begun and I feel oddly out of place. A waiting, an apathy has entered my soul, and I am ready for the next season to begin.When I was accepted to Ellerslie Leadership Training, I did not know that the coming weeks would bring the most difficult days before I even arrived at the base.
These transitions, these in-between moments are always the most difficult. Like a good book,life is like the middle of the story; usually boring but full of growth, pain, mystery, and questions. Always the most important, the middle of a story builds for the ending, the characters change and grow, and the circumstances become more dangerous.
Reminds me of the life of Jesus.  The most important days of his life were not the ones spent in ministry, but the days spent in preparation for his ministry. I can only imagine how many days during His twenties were spent in prayer, fasting, and training? Training for last few chapters, for the epic ending. Training to die.

The Time In Between by Francesca Battistelli

You were there when your Father said
Let there be light
You obeyed when He whispered
Son, You have to leave tonight
To spend nine months in a mothers womb
Three days in a borrowed tomb

 But it’s the time in between
That brings me to my knees
Knowing you came for me
And all that I can't be
I'm amazed, so amazed
And I thank You for the time in between
Don't take much for this crazy world
To rob me of my peace
And the enemy of my soul
Says You’re holding out on me
So I stand here lifting empty hands
For you to fill me up again

But it’s the time in between
That I fall down to my knees
Waiting on what You'll bring
And the things that I can't see
I know my song’s incomplete
Still I'll sing in the time in between
So many ways
Your love has saved the day
And I'm grateful for them all

 But it’s the time in between
The middle of two thieves
That says everything
It’s the reason I believe
I'm amazed, so amazed
And I thank you for the time in between
Oh Lord, I thank you for the time in between

Seasons

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Check out my friend Margie's photography skills.


I wrote this two years ago, and I find this still relevant and dear to my heart.

The change of seasons...hmm. I've learned that seasons can last a lifetime; they can begin with a change of jobs, getting on an airplane for a distant land, meeting someone new and they can end in a heartbeat with a word wrongly spoken, a death of a loved one, leaving a place you've come to call home, a change of schools. Some seasons are welcomed- like the gorgeous days of a Wisconsin summer- graduating from high school and moving onto university, going on a first date, or the birth of a child but so many seasons are ushered in with deep sadness or uncertainty; the death of someone dearly loved, the ending to a sport season, saying goodbye to the best friends you've ever had and not knowing if you'll ever see them again,  a breakup or an unresolved conflict that leave us bitter or angry, confused and lonely. But as with every season, you know that they will change one day- it's the only thing you can truly count on with seasons, a beginning and the ending.

In the midst of one of the most difficult and heart-wrenching seasons of my life thus far, I've been quietly, faithfully and wondrously reminded that no matter the season I am "Secure in the Everlasting Arms."
In the hands of the true God, my standing as His child never changes- His wild, crazy, love for me never lessens, and His purpose for the everyday events of my life are forever planned for my good. Oh, to rest in that knowledge "when my striving cease" and be able to take my perfectionism, look at everything from every possible angle, plan for anything attitude, and just be at peace with knowing that to trust God takes every ounce of faith I have, but truly does not require any risk because I am safe in His arms.