Thursday, December 3, 2015

Season: Five Minute Friday

Prompted but unscripted, a "free write" for five minutes with no edits, no re-writes. Every Friday (or Thursday night if you're at the Twitter party), we receive the week's prompt and write. Sometimes silly, sometimes serious, and usually spontaneous, this community has grown so much and now means a lot to me! Join us, it's so much fun! Here's the link to Kate's page.

Go!

Tonight's prompt is SEASON.

Of course, in December, "Deck The Halls" will instantly pop into your head if you're a fan of Christmas carols.
If you're cooking, you season your food with various spices.

But truly? Season has had a different meaning for me lately.

I'm in a new job this year. One I hadn't really planned for. So, I'm in a season of learning. In that season, I make mistakes. And I really don't like making mistakes. I like to do a magnificent job the first time. Most of the time, I'm naturally good at whatever I try. Except athletics. I get a participation award in every event.

And I think that God intended for this job to undo some things in my life that needed to be undone. It's been a season of humbling. And truly? It's been ugly. There are things that needed to be surfaced and removed, and God allows us to have the perfect situations to uncover those hidden things. Character traits that are external don't extend to every part of our internal selves. I don't want to see those parts of me that haven't been transformed by His hand, but the only way for the process to unveil is for His good hand to bring it to the light.

This is why the fruits OF THE SPIRIT are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. Those are contrary to human fruits.

And, fresh fruit in season is delicious. Out-of-season fruit is rare and expensive. And past-season fruit is overripe or unfavorable for consuming.

My fruit? Useless. My righteousness, as Paul puts it, is "dirty rags". (and if you go to the Greek, it's even more appalling than just "dirty") My good deeds are for naught.
But, God's glory and grand plan? All good fruit.

He created the world with a plan. He just happens to let us affect each other to eventually cause us all to be turned to Him and give Him the praise and honor and glory and worship! Some people encourage us, some cause us to be refined.

The best part about seasons is that they change. When we've gone through a season, we can look back with relief or with wonder, but it's gone and the new has come.

Our seasons offer a chance to mentor others who are coming behind.
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ." (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

Where I live, we have four seasons, and they are all beautiful. So, I'll close with Nichole Nordeman's "Every Season". Exactly a year ago this weekend, I had the great honor of standing in line and meeting her. I'm not a big celebrity person, but her music has impacted me since 1998. This was as close to a starstruck moment as there will be for this math teacher. 





Blessings on you in whichever season you are in. Whether summer, autumn, winter, or spring, may you find wonder and beauty in some small way, to remind you that God is in every season

~Tammy
P.S. Please include your url or linkup # on Kate's list so I can return the favor of reading and commenting! :D 



26 comments:

  1. Sometimes the humbling seasons can be the most learning seasons of life and if you let be the most joyful.

    Visiting from fmf parked at number 2

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    1. Miranda,
      I totally agree. I have learned so much, and the more God refines me, the less of me there is. John says "Christ must increase and I must decrease."
      It's contrary to our human nature, so I'm trying to embrace this strange new world.
      Thank you so much for coming over and visiting!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  2. I'm with you on the wanting to do things perfectly the first time! It's a silly expectation, though, isn't it? It just sets me up for feeling down on myself. May God be with you through this new season in your life and give you exactly what you need to persevere. I'm at #1 this week.

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    1. Thank you Anita!
      I know you've had more than your share of difficult seasons, and yet, how beautiful and full of grace you are now! You impart great wisdom to those of us less "seasoned" in this great journey. I'm so thankful for your perspective and influence.
      Love,
      Tammy

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  3. Beautifully expressed, Tammy. I have no energy to be more specific, I am sorry.

    My season is something like Groundhog Day. My knees just gave way and the floor smote my face. As it will tomorrow.

    There is blood there, and more will be there tomorrow.

    But JC is the same yesterday and so on, and I canlive and die with that

    9 at FMT

    http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2015/12/your-dying-spouse-90-season-of-death-fmf.html

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    1. Andrew,
      I'm honored that you replied to my post. And, I hope you were able to enjoy the song. I thought of you when posting it. Nichole wrote it for two friends who were marrying each other, in spite of the groom's terminal illness. He was not married long before he was taken to the arms of our Savior. I love that she does not begin with Spring and end with Winter...because neither do we. We have new life coming to us when we see the end of our humanity.
      For you, I am clinging to each moment of life though simultaneously rejoicing for your Spring that is awaiting. I do not want to see you suffer, but I will miss you greatly. Sorry for my selfishness that clings to you staying.
      You are a great friend and a treasure!
      ~Tammy

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  4. Beautiful post! So many great thoughts on the prompt! May this new season be filled with unexpected and wonderful surprises God has planned just for you. Even during times of humbling. (I don't like those times, but they've been so necessary for my growth.) Thanks for sharing your heart through your words!

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    1. Julie,
      thank you. You are such a joy and delight. I can sense all the encouragement pouring out of you, I'm certain that is one of your gifts.
      I'm looking forward to reading your post as well!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  5. Oh Tammy, such beautiful words here tonight. Those ugly things that surface when God decides it's time to remove another layer of dross make me cringe with shame when the Light shines on it. I love the hope that comes as we walk through seasons. We don't stay in the ugly place when He's refining us. We move forth as gold. And, He uses the lessons we've learned in those seasons to bless and help others. Love that!
    You are beautiful, my friend.
    **And how fortunate for you to meet Nichole Nordeman. I love her music too. :)

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    1. Jeanne,
      wow, our list continues to grow! ;) Yes, her music is so gifted!
      You encourage me and minister to me when you share about the growth you've experienced. And even though we only see the ugly, others only see the fruit. We're too focused on that hairy chrysalis we just spent waaaaay too long cooped up in to see the beautiful wings all the others see when they see us! :D
      Love you, friend!!
      And I could repeat all of your comment back at you directly. You are SO beautiful.
      Love,
      Tammy

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  6. Those seasons of pruning are never fun! (At the time, anyway). I love the Scripture you shared. So fitting!

    (Visiting from the Five Minute Friday link up. I'm #7). :-)

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    1. Thank you Becky! I enjoyed our similarities. And, yes, we love the roses, but the thorns and pruning that come before them are never very pleasant. :) Still, I love that God is still working on me. He doesn't leave me to grow wild and out of control, but carefully prunes me to bring out my best.
      Blessings to you and your family!!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  7. I loved your use of the fruit analogy, especially the out of season and overripe fruit. Truly, it's the Spirit who works in us, in every season. And He will complete the good work that He started in us. Glory!

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    1. Asheritah,
      thank you, sweet friend! I'm so thankful to have met you. You spurn me on to glorify God and keep at His work. So super excited for you in this new season. Your post was amazing!!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  8. It is so humbling when we find ourselves in that learning season, but so important too! God is working in you. Hang in there! I loved the fruit analogy as well.
    (A visitor from Five Minute Friday- #43)

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    1. Sarah,
      thank you. I enjoyed your post too! I'm so glad for your daughter that she has a strong momma that is willing to set boundaries and say "no". You are preparing her so well for her future! You're a great mom and a wonderful wife!!
      Keep pressing on!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  9. Love! I hate making mistakes too. Try to cling to the gifts and fruits of the Spirit that God has entrusted to me rather than on what I'm not good at. Nichole Nordman is great. So fun you got to meet here. I'm over in the #46 spot this week.

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    1. Tara,
      you are so sweet! Thankful that our salvation is a gift, not a prize for being the best marathon runner. I'm pretty sure I'm the finder of all gopher holes in this marathon and have stepped in pretty much every single one of them. ;)
      It's getting better and easier and I'm gaining confidence, but learning new things is so hard. God puts us where He wants us, not where we best fit...until He's shaped us to fit.
      We try too hard to leave Him out of it, Lol. We'll learn someday, right??
      Love,
      Tammy

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  10. Wow, you packed a lot into 5 minutes! I relate to so much of this- "Deck the Halls" was one of the first things that came to mind! I also don't like making mistakes, though I do see it's necessary to learn and grow and that God can teach us a lot through those seasons and enable us to help others. I love Nichole Nordeman's music too but I wasn't familiar with that song so thanks for sharing it. (#58)

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    1. Carly,
      sheepishly I admit that I didn't set the timer. I know I looked at the clock when I began, and intended to keep it to five minutes, but I *may* have gone over a little. I don't count the time I spend googling a youtube song...I usually pause the timer for that or for copy and pasting from BibleGateway.
      :) Guess sometimes when we're passionate, we don't stop, right??

      I'm so thankful you can continue to be an encouragement to me! I look forward to your comments every single time!

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  11. I like how you touched on several different aspects of the word "season." Six little letters carry a whole lot of meaning, don't they?

    I'm with you in the hatred of making mistakes. And in the reception of participation trophies. :)

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    1. Marie,
      you made me smile. We will be the cheerleaders and sit in the bleachers and encourage those who are gifted at those feats of skill! In the meantime, we excel at encouraging others and bringing life and hope.
      So thankful for you, my friend. I'm sorry for the nausea you're constantly battling. You are a blessing and a true light!!
      Love,
      Tammy

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  12. I'm with Marie - I love how you took us through the different definitions of Season. I'm sorry that this season has been stretching and humbling, but I love that even as you are still in the midst of it you can see how God is using it! He's so smart and patient with us! Bless you, friend!

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    1. Karrilee,
      thank you, sweet friend! I wish I would have known you better before JTreat, so I could have utilized the together time we'd have had! :)
      And thank you for the encouragement. It's hard to admit we need a Savior, but it's so relieving to admit we can't do it on our own-because then we don't have to anymore.
      Love you!!
      ~Tammy

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  13. Sounds like you're experiencing a "season of vulnerability" (which is where I've also been for the past year). It reminds me of Autumn because in Autumn the leaves become vulnerable and are just hanging on until the wind comes to gently sweep them away. Autumn leaves are in a "season of vulnerability", but to me, that is when they are in their most beautiful state displaying all of those lovely colors of orange, red, and yellow. It is in Autumn where each leaf shines uniquely... so "Hang in there" Tammy (yes, pun intended) God knows exactly what He's doing for you!

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    1. Tondra,
      thank you. I think you're the third or fourth to tell me to "Hang in there". :) Autumn is my favorite season as I'm an October baby. And yes, I definitely have felt vulnerable. But, at the same time, it's so fulfilling to be coming out of it and seeing God as so much more and me as less!
      Thanks again, sweet friend!
      Love,
      Tammy

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