Reason, Season or Lifetime
6:21 PM Posted In My Walk with God Edit This
I have heard and used the saying that people come in our lives for a reason, season or lifetime. I don't remember when or by whom I first heard that expression but it was around the time I first gave my life to the Lord. I feel that saying sheds light to people and circumstances in my life and I hold onto it.
Looking back, I can see all the different circumstances and the people who had a role in those circumstances/my life and can make the distinction as to the "category" they are placed in my life. Out of the three, Reason, Season, or Lifetime, I struggle with the season. I prefer reason and lifetime relationships.
REASONS-
I dated a guy when I was a teenager who was extremely abusive to me...physically, emotionally, mentally and sexually. He is now serving 3 life sentences and possibly death row. I never understood the "reason" why a loving God would "allow" me to go through something so horrendous. Keep in mind...I didn't even believe in God but that isn't the point. LOL! However, I can look back now and see that God was my Protector during those times and I didn't even know it. I can now minister to women who have been in abusive relationships.
I battled depression most of my life. For any of those who have struggled with this demon...it is not fun. Sadly, I would try to find "things" or "people" to fulfill my life only to be left unsatisfied. I feel now that I can relate to others who have dealt with this demon and let them know there is Hope found in Jesus and Jesus alone.
My breaking point was when I dated a man that I had no business dating. I remember becoming so broken due to the pain, anguish, guilt and all the other demons that come with that chaos that I called upon the name of Jesus to save me. I can honestly say that I don't regret that "reason" because I gave my life to the Lord in a car in New Orleans and I have never been the same.
Cancer. The scary "C" word. I remember hearing that word for the first time pertaining to my life. I was more disturbed that I would never have children. I was never scared of cancer. I guess deep down I knew that I would be healed. I held onto the scripture of "By His Stripes we are healed" and believed in the power of prayer. I have been blessed with healing and the powerful testimony of Jesus still healing today.
My brief marriage to a drug addict/con artist was bittersweet. Ya know, I will be the first to say that the short-lived marriage caused a lot of pain. However, I feel that it was also a distraction for me while battling cancer. It truly kept my mind off of being sick. To this day, I look back at pictures of when I was going through cancer and chemo and it is hard for me to recall memories...all of my memories are those of dealing with an addict. God knows why things happen the way they do. I can only guess that this was a test...which I passed...and I have been blessed with another powerful testimony.
LIFETIMES-
I consider my long lasting friendships my "lifetimes." I have friendships ranging from 24 years to a little over a year. The friends that are in my circle are lifetime relationships. I know that time or circumstances will not change the nature of our relationship. There are no temper tantrums, back-stabbing or drama. There is communication...sometimes with my disclaimers...always with love. We can go days, weeks, months or a year of not talking but connect again as if no time has lapsed. I treasure these friendships more than I could ever express. We are there for one another no matter what happens!!
Seasons-
The one that saddens me is season. I struggle with season friendships or circumstances. To me, it seems like a waste of time, shallow, tiring, unfulfilled, and heartbreaking. Maybe this is my lack of maturity in my faith as I know biblically we all go through seasons. I have experienced relationships where I thought one might be a lifetime friendship only to find that expectations, selfishness, pride and drama is revealed and the friendship is dwindled down to nothing more than a season...heck...even a reason would give a little more substance. I am sure as I grow in my faith I will learn a little more. Hence, one reason why I love having relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ...I hear Godly wisdom.
I guess all we can do is continue to love one another and let God be God in our lives. God and time will reveal the reason, season and lifetime people/circumstances in our lives. The reasons can be positive or negative and the season are not understood by me...I completely trust God to make all things work together for good and to His glory.
Looking back, I can see all the different circumstances and the people who had a role in those circumstances/my life and can make the distinction as to the "category" they are placed in my life. Out of the three, Reason, Season, or Lifetime, I struggle with the season. I prefer reason and lifetime relationships.
REASONS-
I dated a guy when I was a teenager who was extremely abusive to me...physically, emotionally, mentally and sexually. He is now serving 3 life sentences and possibly death row. I never understood the "reason" why a loving God would "allow" me to go through something so horrendous. Keep in mind...I didn't even believe in God but that isn't the point. LOL! However, I can look back now and see that God was my Protector during those times and I didn't even know it. I can now minister to women who have been in abusive relationships.
I battled depression most of my life. For any of those who have struggled with this demon...it is not fun. Sadly, I would try to find "things" or "people" to fulfill my life only to be left unsatisfied. I feel now that I can relate to others who have dealt with this demon and let them know there is Hope found in Jesus and Jesus alone.
My breaking point was when I dated a man that I had no business dating. I remember becoming so broken due to the pain, anguish, guilt and all the other demons that come with that chaos that I called upon the name of Jesus to save me. I can honestly say that I don't regret that "reason" because I gave my life to the Lord in a car in New Orleans and I have never been the same.
Cancer. The scary "C" word. I remember hearing that word for the first time pertaining to my life. I was more disturbed that I would never have children. I was never scared of cancer. I guess deep down I knew that I would be healed. I held onto the scripture of "By His Stripes we are healed" and believed in the power of prayer. I have been blessed with healing and the powerful testimony of Jesus still healing today.
My brief marriage to a drug addict/con artist was bittersweet. Ya know, I will be the first to say that the short-lived marriage caused a lot of pain. However, I feel that it was also a distraction for me while battling cancer. It truly kept my mind off of being sick. To this day, I look back at pictures of when I was going through cancer and chemo and it is hard for me to recall memories...all of my memories are those of dealing with an addict. God knows why things happen the way they do. I can only guess that this was a test...which I passed...and I have been blessed with another powerful testimony.
LIFETIMES-
I consider my long lasting friendships my "lifetimes." I have friendships ranging from 24 years to a little over a year. The friends that are in my circle are lifetime relationships. I know that time or circumstances will not change the nature of our relationship. There are no temper tantrums, back-stabbing or drama. There is communication...sometimes with my disclaimers...always with love. We can go days, weeks, months or a year of not talking but connect again as if no time has lapsed. I treasure these friendships more than I could ever express. We are there for one another no matter what happens!!
Seasons-
The one that saddens me is season. I struggle with season friendships or circumstances. To me, it seems like a waste of time, shallow, tiring, unfulfilled, and heartbreaking. Maybe this is my lack of maturity in my faith as I know biblically we all go through seasons. I have experienced relationships where I thought one might be a lifetime friendship only to find that expectations, selfishness, pride and drama is revealed and the friendship is dwindled down to nothing more than a season...heck...even a reason would give a little more substance. I am sure as I grow in my faith I will learn a little more. Hence, one reason why I love having relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ...I hear Godly wisdom.
I guess all we can do is continue to love one another and let God be God in our lives. God and time will reveal the reason, season and lifetime people/circumstances in our lives. The reasons can be positive or negative and the season are not understood by me...I completely trust God to make all things work together for good and to His glory.