I was five years old, living in Long Beach, CA with my family. I remember my home vividly, despite being so young. It had lots of windows through out the entire house. My room alone had three windows wrapping the corner of the room. I love windows…I love the natural Light. We only lived in this house a few years before moving to Northern California, but the Joy of it is forever etched upon my heart. A permanent fixture to the picture God was beginning to write of my life.

I started school in this house. My elementary school was about three long blocks away (give or take a block). I walked to and from school everyday, in Kindergarten, with a few other girls from my neighborhood. I recall sometimes having to walk it alone. Something that you could do in that season of time….couldn’t imagine a child doing that today, but it was a different day…a different time…another season.

Life is full of seasons. Seasons in our family, as children grow, jobs change, friends come and some go. There are also seasons of soul, those are the ones God alone holds the keys to.

I remember my Mother, though she was a stay at home wife, she had a routine and part of her routine was getting ready for Daddy to come home. Sometimes she would shower in the afternoon and I’d watch her fix her hair and put on her make up. I’d ask her where she was going and she would almost always reply, “No where, honey, I am getting ready for Daddy to come home.” I even remember asking her about this. I said something to the effect of, “Why do you have to ‘get ready’ for Daddy to come home?” Then she told me something that has stuck with me my entire life. A little something for my “Book of Life” that at the time, she probably didn’t know I would tuck away and carry with me and would bless me in my own married life. She told me that she loved Daddy and so because she loved him, she wanted to look her best for him. Oh sure, my Dad loved my Mom no matter what, but my Mom had a wisdom that extended beyond her then young years…you always prepare yourself to look your best for those you most esteem and respect. This alone could be the anchor for an entire blog I could write for women on how to meet their husbands needs…but not today.

Our season shortly changed, afte living in this house only a few short years. We had family in Northern CA that we would vacation to visit each summer. My folks loved the little town called Lodi. It was so quaint and quiet and completely lacking in one thing they didn’t like, but Southern Ca. has an abundance of…traffic! This little community made their hearts glad. On the summer between my second and third grade school year we made our visit to the little city, but while we were there a cousin convinced my Dad to go out and look for a job and relocate! My Dad decided to go take a look. Though he had an excellent job where we lived, he found in one days effort an even better job in Northern California. So, just like that, my parents decided to go home, sell the house, and move away.

Our home, though lovely, rested on the corner of a very busy intersection. My parents were concerned it wouldn’t sell because of the location. Not  a problem! When God’s got a plan He will rise to the occasion and meet the demand! The house sold in a few short weeks. Despite there being  a few other houses for sale in the neighborhood (that weren’t on the busy corner), the buyer selected our home because it was the same floor plan as the house he grew up in.

Within a month I was staying with my cousins in Lodi so I could begin at my new school, my Dad was there working as well and my Mom and little brother stayed behind in LA to wrap up all the loose ends, finish packing, and we were all together in our new Northern California location.

God’s hand of favor was so clearly on my parents desire to move to the charming little town that had stolen their heart. He guided their efforts and made their path clear. It was a big season change for our family and I know by the quality of my childhood, it was a good change. Many acquaintances I have to this day, I met on that first day of school in the third grade. Thus, begins a new season.

Seasons may change.

People may change.

Circumstances may change.

But God never changes.

He loves us.

He guards over us.

He is available to us without regard to anything.

God doesn’t need a reason to love us…He just does.

You can trust Him.

I believe the more we desire to be toward God as how my Mother was for my Father…

ready and waiting…

looking our best for when He comes…

the more we become like His Radiant Bride who reflects His image.

We obtain an ability to be CONSTANT.

When we are constant, we can be consistent. When we are consistent to love others, protect others, care for others, listen to others, forgive others, show grace and compassion one to another, then we become known as reliable. People will know what they are going to get from us and what they are getting is good. We earn trust.

Prepare yourself for God’s call upon your life. Everything happens in seasons. He isn’t finished with you. He isn’t provoked with you. He is Patient, Caring, True and of the kindest hearts you will ever know. Press on toward the mark that He had embarked you on. “And Jesus said unto him, ‘No man, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.” Simply stated, “Don’t quit!”  He has begun a good work in you and He will be faithful to complete it (Phil. 1:6). He is faithful to do His part, as He did for my family when we made a major move. But we have to do our part, as my family did in looking for the job, putting the house on the market, enrolling me in school.

I have learned in my Christian life and following after a God who loves us that He plants the seeds of Promise, Hope, Dream within each person, but we have to step out in faith before he will increase the illumination of the path. The same is true for you. Unfortunately, so many turn back or give up because they cannot see far enough down the path or it doesn’t look how they were expecting it to look. So they quit.

Do not let your heart be discouraged or dismayed. God, the Designer of all things, has a Life plan for you. He wants you to be the person you were created to be and accomplish the things He placed you here to accomplish. He will equip you with resources and help along the way. You must Believe.

You must stay the coarse.

You must embrace change, liked or disliked, and remember you stand on Christ the Solid Rock that is Unshakable!

Go forth today encouraged, with greater Joy and Resolve to know the God of Heaven is on your side.

~Nicole

Scripture Versus for Reference:

“For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1: 17

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.”

John 14:1

“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me and I will give to everyone according to what he has done…” Rev. 22:12

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

“For I am the LORD, I do not change: Therefore you are not consumed, O son of Jacob.” Malachi 3:6