Spring! My favorite time of year, as I know it isn’t long until I will be pulling on my shorts
and hiking shoes and heading out to hike up a hill ( a very small hill, I must admit).
I was just reading Monica Cane’s latest newsletter and of course she is also talking about
spring and what it means to her. What it actually means to me is that we are in for a lots
of ups and downs, much like most of our Christian walks. Especially when we are “New
Christians” but certainly not exclusive to the newbys. I am quite sure the ups and downs
continue all of our lives because, after all, we Christians are not perfect just forgiven.
As I walk along the trails in our beautiful little village I see daffodils proudly standing tall as
if to say, “Hello, how are you today?” The trees are beginning to blossom and the roses
that were pruned a couple of months ago are sprouting new leaves. The trails (sidewalks)
are bursting with all the tourists and locals who have been indoors and suffering from
cabin fever.
That is how Spring looks today!
Yesterday it was pouring down rain.
The day before yesterday the tallest mountain near Yountville was covered with snow, the
road was closed and there were warnings that when the road opened again chains would
be required.
There was hail on the streets of Yountville and all the surrounding towns.
All of these situations scream-Be prepared, have protection with you when ever your
wonder out. Carry an umbrella, mittens, and SUNSCREEN and a HAT OR VISOR because
when the clouds drop the rain it is harsh and when the clouds separate the sun is HOT!
It struck me today that Spring is like our Christian walk. We may be very strong in our
faith and be walking solidly with Christ and then suddenly temptation will slap us in the face
and we realize we need protection from the temptation. That is when we must remember
the Lord will protect us from all evil thoughts and situations, as we read in Job 1:10.
Job 1:10 KJV. “Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about
all that he hath on every side?”
We may tend to think of temptation as being only of a sexual nature, however, the
temptations that can cause our world to be full of “Ups and Downs” may be: gossip, over
indulgance in food or drink or perhaps our hobbies.
We may be doing a great job on that new diet and suddenly we find our self indulging in
something that gets us off track.
Or consider the hobby that we started out enjoying once in a while and suddenly we realize
we are hobbying night and day and having no time for our loved ones or even our daily
chores.
An umbrella , mittens , sunscreen and visors will protect us from the ever changing Spring
weather but when we have personal ups and downs we need to turn to our Heavenly
Father and ask for His protection.
When I find myself facing possible temptations I have learned to ask God to surround me
with a hedge of protection and He has never failed to protect me when I remember to ask.
Wow, I just looked outside and the sky is totally clear, the stars are shining brightly and the
moon is huge and almost full. A beautiful Spring evening!
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