The Seasons of Beauty and Rain | Laveda D. Rockford

 

Handpainted Christmas Ornament
Christmas Scene

The Seasons of Beauty and Rain

I have been getting ready to celebrate Christmas. My Christmas tree is up and decorated, and I am making ornaments and thought I would share a photo of them here.



While we are on the subject of Christmas, there was another Christmas that came to my mind recently. I would like to share my thoughts with you.


While spending time with my older brother’s family over the Thanksgiving holiday, I came across this entry in one of my journals from December 31, 2017. I do not remember what sermon was preached that day, but I think this message will be of help to some of you. Here is what I wrote with a little editing, but only a few words are edited.



_

December 31, 2017                                                 
Sunday


While listening to a wonderful sermon at church this morning, I was reminded of the time when Israel was enslaved in Egypt. God chose Moses to return to them with a message of deliverance. God unleashed ten plagues against Egypt at that time. The tenth plague was to destroy the first born of the land. That meant that all first born, from the king to the cattle. Then God instructed Israel to apply the blood of the Lamb over the door post. That would be a sign to Him and He would Passover and the plague would not enter in.

In this same manner, we, as Christians, apply the blood of Jesus over our hearts and upon the shell of our body which safeguards us from destruction.

Now, you would think that the end of the story was there. Oh, but no, that is the beginning. If you know this story, you know that Israel has a long journey ahead. Just like Israel, our journey is long, and around every corner there is rejoicing and tragedy, growth through patience, moving from slavery to freedom in heart and soul, mind, and body, but trudging on through to the promised land, a heavenly destination where we will never be separated from God again.

We do not stay in the land of slavery. We move on. That is the life of a Christian and our Jewish brothers and sisters. We are strong only because He is strong. Thank you, LORD! Thank you, Lord Jesus!

_

Our lives have different seasons. Some seasons see beauty as the sunshine warms the air, and rain replenishes the earth and flowers burst into bloom filling the area with fragrance. While other seasons see brown, cold, earth sleeping, our eyes and hearts searching. Take another look, you can find the light even in the bleakest of times.

God bless you and yours. May your seasons always be filled with love, even during the seasons of sorrow.

Love always,

Laveda D. Rockford

© 2023 Laveda D. Rockford


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rockford Smiles: Christmas at our House | Laveda D. Rockford

Image
  Taking time to share a little Christmas at our House with you. I painted this ornament as a gift to my daughter and her husband. If they are reading this, sorry to spoil the surprise, but more gifts are on the way.  I hope that each of you who watch this little video receive a small respite from the worries of life. A little Christmas cheer for those who are in need. A little light to cast out all fear. A smile for you to hear. We are more than conquers, we are in Christ who strengthens us. The bride that awaits His return. God bless you and yours. Merry Christmas! Love always, Laveda D. Rockford © 2023 Laveda D. Rockford
Read more

Thanksgiving Thought | Laveda D. Rockford

Image
  Thanksgiving Thought During Thanksgiving, most people gather to share stories of their year and greet each other with great esteem. While Thanksgiving is not celebrated around the world, I wanted to tell those of you who will be gathering with your families this Thanksgiving to please remember to say a prayer for those people who are having a very difficult time. Though we, as humans, sometimes think that our little part of the world is the most important, we have to realize that there are difficulties the world around. Many people do not have money to fill their tables with a bounty of food. Other people do not have the money to go and see their family. Thank goodness for the modern capabilities that computers give us. We can see our family on Thanksgiving Day if time allows.   Then there are those who have lost loved ones this year, or years before this and are having a difficult time adjusting to the news or accepting the challenge to continue to live. In honor of your loved
Read more

I Live For Freedom | Laveda D. Rockford

Image
  I Live For Freedom As you know, I have been on vacation. It began on Monday morning in Missouri, and we arrived in Maryville, Tennessee that evening. The Lord graced us with beautiful sunshine every day that we were there. The first day we drove into the Great Smoky Mountains, around curves, up mountains, and into valleys all green and yellow that introduced the early autumn season. The beauty of it all gave me a piece of awe that you can only get when you know the love that was placed into such a sight as this. This is where my Cherokee ancestors lived. While there, I had the privilege of visiting the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee, North Carolina. Between June 1838 through March 1839, approximately 16,000 Cherokee were removed from their tribal lands and relocated to Oklahoma. It is said that approximately 4,000 Cherokee died. My Great-Great Grandmother was six years old when she walked this trail. Her Mother, my Great-Great-Great Grandmother, was one of those 4
Read more