- Image via Wikipedia
“There is a time for everything; and a season for every activity under heaven,” (Eccl 3:1,2).
After suffering for years with seizure disorder and depression, I have learned to find great comfort and healing in nature. Whether through the majesty of a beautiful sunrise or the way a bird soars with grace over still calm waters, I am often moved by the beauty He gives us to enjoy. One morning I sat beside the lake enjoying the peaceful surroundings. As the sun rose over the tree line, it seemed I was watching the world awaken. I recalled a favorite picture my daughter had taken last summer of a dogwood tree in full bloom.
I walked over to where I remembered the tree to be and wondered if I would recognize it. I don’t know what a dogwood looks like without the flowers, I thought. I soon realized the Lord was showing me a simple but profound truth. The fact that I may not recognize it as a dogwood would not change the fact that it is the absence of the blossoms simply indicate that it is in another season of its life.
The blossoms are not gone, they just lie dormant. The plant actually gets stronger every year building on previous growth and preparing to be revived again in the spring. The one who created it could still see its full potential in the absence of the blossoms.
Like the dogwood tree we also experience seasons. When suffering with chronic illness it’s easy to become discouraged and feel that we are not reaching our full potential. As I reflect on this truth, I realize God wants to bring comfort to my heart and calm my anxious thoughts about where I feel I fall short and what I’ve yet to accomplish. He also desires that I would not compare myself with the success or achievements of others, but find rest in Him. There is nothing to compare. They are both beautiful and majestic in their own way and they are simply content being what they were created to be and just like them, He calls us beautiful.
Rene’ Lackey lives in North Richland Hills, Tx with two teenage daughters. After facing many challenging health problems she discovered writing and photography as a source of joy and fulfillment. After experiencing a season of doubt and hopelessness, she enjoys sharing her journey of discovery of God’s faithfulness with others.
Related Devotionals from Rest Ministries
- Finding Contentment (chronicillnesspaindevotionals.wordpress.com)
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Chronic Illness Pain Daily Devotionals 
You are a true encouragement from God. Emotional/spiritual pain can sometimes pierce us with the same intensity as physical pain, so I can say I know what it feels to suffer. God will never let go of the ones that trust in Him!!!
Praise God for His creation for us,
Estera.
RENE;HELLO,I THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEVOTION.I CAN RELATE TOO THIS ONE VERY WELL.MY FATHER TOOK US TOO THE VALLEY NEARLY EVERY SUNDAY AND TRAVELED TOO THE PARKS AND RUN DOWN THE HILLS.WE WERE AWED BY OUR ECHOES COMING AND GOING SO FAR.YOU CAN SEE FOR MILES AND MILES OF ROLLING GREEN GRASS AND BLUE SKIES AND PUFFY WHITE CLOUDS.HE GAVE US AN APPRECEIATION OF NATURE.I INTEND ON THANKING HIM WHEN I GO TOO GLORY.IT IS TRUE WHAT YOU WROTE. IT CERTAINLY DOES HELP NOW AS I AM OLDER TOO SEE THE VALLEY AND IT TAKES SOME OF THE PAIN AWAY ADMIRING GOD`S BEAUTY.HE PUT IT HERE SO WE WOULD HAVE MORE HOPE OF HIM AND TRUST AND DEVELOP STRENGTH IN HIM BECAUSE OF IT.I KNEW AS SOON AS I READ THIS IT WAS PLUGGING ON A NERVE.HE WAS USING YOU TOO GET MY ATTENTION AS I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT GOING DOWN TOO THE VALLEY FOR A “DOSE”OF BEAUTY.THIS I THANK YOU FOR YOUR OBEIDENCE RENE IN WRITING.I AM GRATEFUL.TAKE CARE MY FRIEND ,MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU,THOMAS
Rene, I so enjoyed reading your thoughts and insights. I remember how beautiful the dogwood trees were when I lived on the east coast when growing up so that caught my attention right away.
All the blooms in God’s garden, including “us” have our seasons. You are so right in how you share that the time it seems so dormant to us and often can get us feeling down, are the very times He is working getting us ready for a season of new life and that it will become visible to us.
I look forward to reading some of your writing again.
Bless you!
Lynn
Rene,
What an interesting concept! I’d never looked at my health situation in those terms before, but you’ve got me thinking…..
Thanks for sharing this!
quilterjan
Rene, I really enjoyed your writing. I especially liked your points about being dormant but not dead, and buildling on previous growth. Thanks for reminding us that we are all beautiful and valuable in all seasons of life.
Great writing Rene’, you absolutely have a gift. Additionally, this really spoke to me. Thank you for sharing.
Rene,
Thanks for this reminder that we also ought to be content being what God calls us to be, in the different seasons of life.
I’m so grateful too for all that God can teach us from what we see and admire in His nature.
Fiona