Today's blog is one I originally posted in November of 2013. And no, the leaves here have not yet started to turn, but I know some of you live in areas of the country where they are not only changing, they're already falling. So in the spirit of autumn, my favorite season of the year, let's celebrate the leaves!
2 Chronicles 20:15
He said, "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.'"
Our house sits in the middle of a forest populated mainly by deciduous hardwoods. We are smack dab in the middle of fall, and you know what that means. Leaves! Tons of them! Raining from the sky. Covering our decks. Smothering our yard.
Fall isn't called 'fall' for nothing!
And when it comes to keeping the decks cleared and the yard clean, we have our work cut out for us. I whisk away with the broom while my husband, Danny, wields the leaf blower. Together, we tackle the onslaught. Battle back the blitz of leaf troops which seem to gain ground daily. Here is a pile I'm in the midst of sweeping up the other day after heavy winds and rain ushered in reinforcements.
And here is what the deck looked like just a day later.
The battle rages on . . .
And many days, I feel like the leaves are winning. Even when I know that, eventually, all of them will have given up the ghost. That I will, at some point, banish the last soldier off the deck and Danny will blow the last warrior from the yard. The losing battle turned into a war won.
Wouldn't it be splendid if we could know that every battle we face on life's journey has a guaranteed winning outcome? Unfortunately, when we fail to recognize God's goodness, even in the hard times, that's not the case. We lose a loved one, lose a job, lose our health. And it hurts. Deeply. We can be left feeling despondent and hopeless.
But it doesn't have to be that way. All that can change when we stop clinging to our own methods for waging war against the enemy, and hand the battle over to God. Waving our white flags. Surrendering to His will. Trusting in His ways.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~Romans 8:28
God cares. He is with us. He is able, ready and willing to aid us in every battle we face.
God makes is a win-win. Every time!
Amen!
~
There will be no new post this coming Friday, but I'll be back with you all a week from today. God bless!
An old post that is still as relevant today as ever. It's great of you to share, warm greetings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Blogoratti! I'm glad you found today's message relevant.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Love this today!! And yes, with God, we are ALL winners, thanks to Calvary!! Enjoy your beautiful fall days. We are still waiting for them to appear...although our large sycamore trees have already started dropping their huge leaves in our front yard...they aren't very pretty either...but they give me the sense of fall...I may have to go rake up a pile to jump in!!! Have a blessed day!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed the post today, Pamela! Yes, we are about in the same boat with you with the leaves dropping (brown oak) but nary a hint of color yet.
DeleteAnd yes, with God, we are all winners!
Love and blessings!
I live where the leaves are not only changing but falling. As I drive I tell myself, "Man, I'm glad I don't have to do all those leaves!" But you have certainly made this time of the year come alive with your thoughts Martha. have a good week away.
ReplyDeleteBill, since we don't have grass to mow, fall is the only time we really and truly have to do yard work. I'm grateful for that! And I'm glad you enjoyed today's message, too. I'm looking forward to this short break as we are traveling to Tennessee to visit a friend.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Thank you, Martha, for encouraging us to hand the battles in life over to God and to surrender to His will. Have a relaxing time in Tennessee. I hear the fall colors are beautiful out there at this time of year. Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteYes, Trudy, the battle is not ours, it is God's. Now if only we would remember that! :)
DeleteWe are hoping to see some fall colors. Not much here at the moment, but it's coming.
Love and blessings!
What a beautiful and timely reminder of the importance of allowing and trusting God to be in control.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind words, Beckie!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, thanks for this gentle reminder to trust God right in the midst of our stuff, and not grow weary in doing so ... and not expect Him to wave a magic wand and make all our dreams come true.
ReplyDeleteLeaning on Him, trusting Him over the long haul ... that's the faith stretcher. Finding Him sufficient ... that's the joy and relief.
No magic wands, that's for sure, Linda, but a whole bucket load of peace when we realize the battle is already won because Jesus claimed victory over this world. Yes, joy and relief!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I find rest and peace in your words of wisdom, sister. Too often we believe the battle is in our hands when, for those of us that know truth, our Father either causes or allows all things.
ReplyDeleteRevering Him and His sovereignty over His creation, along with His promise, changes our perspective and brings peace that can only be found in Him.
Needed this today. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Floyd!
DeleteAnd yes, when we remember that God already has the victory, through Christ Jesus, we can have that peace which passes all understanding. So glad this post spoke to your heart, my friend.
Love and blessings!
It is a win-win situation! Appreciate the encouragement. :) Enjoy your time off!
ReplyDeleteYes, Karen, a win-win, for sure!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, Your post is spot-on and timely too. Leaves here have finally started to turn and fall (it's a bit late!). Trying to manage the onslaught of falling leaves is a huge challenge.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, God is always there no matter what is happening--He has our back, He has the whole of us--even when it doesn't feel that way.
Love and blessings!
Wow, Kim, your fall is so far ahead of ours - leaves aren't even changing color, and they were barely beginning to north of us in Tennessee.
DeleteGod is there through all our trials and joys, even when we don't "feel" Him present with us. Our faith will ever see us through those times.
Love and blessings!
Leaves on the trees are so beautiful and we look forward to the glorious colors every year! But I completely understand the battle that rages when they began to fall, and the work required to clean it all up seems to never end! How I wish I could have some of your your leaves to put in bags for my garden! I love leaf compost and it is hard to find here as we don't have many hardwood trees. I liked your analogy about the battle that rages and our trust in the Lord! How thankful we can be that we know we are on the winning side! I always enjoy your thoughts Martha and pray the Lord continues to bless you in a special way!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind and encouraging words, Marilyn! I do hope you are recuperating splendidly from both recent surgeries. I've been keeping you in my prayers.
DeleteI'm surprised that there are few hardwoods up your way. Then again, I've never traveled west of the Mississippi, so my only knowledge comes from photos I see. Guess I should have paid better attention to the trees featured in your beautiful ones! :)
And yes, God has this battle, and the war, won.
Love and blessings!
Hi Martha! We don't have a big tree on our property, but we live at the end of a street, so all the leaves get blown to our front lawn. Grrr. I feel your pain!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing that God knows we can't get anything done without him. That way, even the battle of the leaves has a joy in knowing that he is with us as we rake and bag! He has good plans for us, and empowers our every battle. How blessed we are.
Have a wonderful week!
Ceil
Oh, dear, Ceil, that's rough not having a tree in your yard, yet still getting all the fall-out (pun intended!).
DeleteAnd certainly, there is no way we can accomplish anything in this world, or win any battle, without God's help. We are blessed, indeed!
Love and blessings!
I so needed to read this today Martha...thank you.
ReplyDeleteSo glad this spoke to your heart, Betty!
DeleteLove and blessings!