Seasons

Spring is here and we are happy to see the last of the snow melt away…again!!  {welcome to  northern Canada!!}  But Spring IS HERE and the snow WILL go away!

I think Spring is my favourite season…though I love the sunshine and warmer, longer days of Summer, the beauty and smells of Autumn and fresh fallen snow in Winter…I still think Spring is my favourite.  Things just seem…new…and fresh.  The grass is turning green, the Robins come back and sing their cheery song, April showers will bring May flowers, the trees are budding and showing off new leaves, walks will be nicer because we won’t have to bundle up.  Ahhh Spring.

Did you know the Bible talks about seasons?  In Ecclesiastes 3 it tells us “there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

A time to be born, and a time to die…

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time…

Though it’s Spring outside and the sun is shining…it is “winter” in our hearts today.  We received news today that my son-in-law’s dad, who has been battling cancer, is not expected to live through the weekend.  He has been on chemo on and off for many months, and the results from the last “batch” of chemo came back, “nothing has grown…lookin’ good.”  So imagine our surprise when they got “the call” today that he was suddenly in the hospital and not expected to make it.

So my daughter and her husband and 3 little babies are on a 16 hour trip to try and make it in time...a time to weep and a time to mourn.

Today we also received the news that a friend (in her 50’s) who collapsed about a week ago from an aneurism just passed away.  We were begging for a miracle…healing…but the Lord had other plans.  A time to be born, a time to die.  More weeping and mourning.

Earlier this week we drove 3 hours to help some friends get their house ready to sell.  Happy times traveling, getting coffee, talking, laughing.  Cleaning, pizza, more laughing and talking.  Summer in our hearts.

Then the cold winds blow in and chills us to the bone.  So much sadness.  The sun is shining, but we hardly notice.  Grieving for the families left behind.

Both Joey’s dad and the other lady that passed away today, know the Lord as their personal Saviour, so we rejoice to know they will be in heaven with HIM.  No more suffering.  But what an emptiness…an empty chair at the table, in the car, on the couch.  No more warm touches, knowing glances shared with those we’ve known for years.  And so many tears.

So sad.

Please pray for these families…the road ahead will be hard and lonely.  They have the Lord that gives peace that passes understanding and grace to walk through the days ahead…but I know they would appreciate any prayers said for their hurting hearts.

Easter Sunday…a risen Saviour…and because HE LIVES we can face tomorrow.

UPDATE: Joeys dad passed away about 2 hours after Mary and Joey arrived at the hospital. We thank the Lord they got to see him and talk to him before he went to be with the Lord. Thank you for your prayers.