The Seasons of Life

Nature consists of four seasons: Spring, Summer, Winter, and Fall. Each have different characteristics that makes them distinct from each other.

    In the Spring, we see new life and growth all around. Beauty abounds. Trees blossom. Flowers bloom. Animals are born. Life itself seems to take on a whole new definition.

    In the Summer, things continue to grow. Everything green and full of life in the Spring become even more green and full of life, if that's possible. Summer is a time for growth and development. Not only that, but it is also a time for the plants and trees to sink their roots deep into the soil, and soak up all the wonderful nutrients therein.

   Fall not only is a time for preparation, but it is also a time for self-examination. During this season, plants examine and prepare their roots to make sure they are firmly rooted in the soil. Animals take time to prepare and focus on storing their food. They make sure all preparations are made for the winter ahead. Fall is a time for examination and preparation.

  Winter, although beautiful by its own right, is a time of testing and trial for the growth and preparation that has been taking place all year long. It is a time for plants to see if their roots have truly sunk deep into the soil, and for animals to rely on the food that they have been storing up. Rather than a time for growth, it is a time for testing, stretching, learning, and experience.

   Our life follows this pattern pretty much to a T. Specifically, I wanted to relate it to us in a spiritual sense, and the phases that that takes.

In the Spring, we see new life and growth all around. Spring is the season of life. For those of us who have just begun life spiritually, it is a time of great rejoicing. We have finally begun to find the way, and just as it says in the scriptures, we become “new creatures” (2 Cor. 5:17).

       For those who are continuing on the path of life, it is a time to take a breather after a sometimes long and drawn-out winter of a trial. We can finally begin to put forth our flowers of growth, and look forward to the fruit ahead. We replenish, rejuvenate, and, as in all seasons, we find great joy.

       For both “new” and “old” in the Gospel, we take those much needed moments of study, pondering, and prayer. This is a time to strengthen our testimonies, replenish our spiritual reservoir, and express gratitude to our Heavenly Father for helping us make it through.

In the Summer, things continue to grow...it is also a time for the plants and trees to sink their roots deep into the soil, and soak up all the wonderful nutrients therein. Summer is a time for continuation of growth and development. We continue to study, ponder, and pray. Unlike Spring, Summer is the time for harvest. It is a time when the fruits of our labors ripen, and are ready to be plucked. It is a time when we can feast!

   Feasting entails not just merely skimming through the scriptures now and again, and once in a while saying a half-baked prayer that might reach the ceiling at best; rather, it means taking time away from our busy life, and our long lists of things-to-do, and sinking our teeth deep into the words of Christ, feasting upon them, and enjoying a whole array of delicious truths, and sumptuous and plentiful revelations. It means spending time for tender and personal communication with our Heavenly Father. It means sinking our roots as deep as we can into the nutrient-rich soil of the Gospel, and soaking up the abundance of minerals and nutrients therein.

    Fall not only is a time for preparation, but it is also a time for self-examination. Fall is a time to check our roots, our spiritual "food and water storage", and to closely examine our spiritual reservoir. We know trials will be ahead, and we know we are going to need to be prepared for them. When that testing comes, are we prepared? Will we be equipped and ready enough to rely on our Savior, come thick and thin? Will we have enough oil in our lamps? These our questions we all need to ask, and this is definitely the time to ask them. In essence, it is a time to ponder and to take valuable moments of introspection, 
preparation, and self-examination.





    Winter...is a time of testing and trial for the growth all around us... Rather than a time for growth, it is a time for testing, stretching, learning, and experience. When the storms of winter come, when the chill wind blows, it is a time to truly see if we are prepared. By now, preparation time is over, and testing time begins. Our trials will either make, or break us. Through Christ, they will always make us. Without Him, they very often break us. He will help us through the winters of our lives. He will be there to succor us in our time of need. The question is, do we know how to seek Him? Is our faith where it needs to be in order for us to do so? Have we taken the time and effort to build up a relationship with Him, that we might weather the storms that will inevitably come our way? Ultimately, the trials and testing of Winter will stretch us, teach us, and give us experience. 

 

   
    And then finally, we return full circle, right back where we started: back to Spring. The storms and trials are over for a season. We can breathe again. Life is renewed, and we again taste of the sweet joy of peace that comes. We are renewed, and because of the stretching and testing we have experienced, our growth can extend beyond what we would have been able to before.

 


    And thus our life continues in this cycle from the life and growth of Spring, to the growth and harvest in the Summer, to the time of preparation in the Fall, to the testing and stretching in the Winter, and finally back to renewed life and growth in the Spring. While this cycle will continue this way throughout our life, we decide whether it is an upward, or a downward cycle. And that choice is primarily based on if we choose Christ. 

Holding Fast to the Iron Rod

      So, looking back at one of my old posts, I decided to revamp it, and repost it. I have about two or three other posts in the process, so be prepared for me in the relatively near future! Enjoy!




    Let me give a little background first. Lehi, a prophet in the Book of Mormon, had a vision. In it, he describes a lot of different stuff, but in essence, there is a path leading to the tree of life, which represents God and His love. Along this path, there is an Iron Rod, which represents God's guidance that He gives to us, through the scriptures, the Spirit, Prophets, and a myriad of other things.  

1 Nephi chapter 8:30
  
     30 But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.

     We read that while many were travelling along the path, there arose a mist of darkness. The mist caused many to lose their way and become lost. And there were also others, who pressed forward through the mists, holding fast to the Iron Rod, and they were able to make it through the mists, and reach the tree.

    So, what does this mean for you and I? I have thought about this a lot and wondered what those mists of darkness could have been. I have come to realize that those mists are the temptations, trials, and adversity that each of us inevitably face throughout our life. Many who commenced, or started, on the path, which is the path that leads us back to God, were lost because they become blinded by the many temptations and trials that came their way. If we allow them, they will blind us as well.

    But, we also read that there were many more who made it through those mists, and were able to make it back to God. The difference was one group of people let go of the iron rod, the Word of God, and the others held fast to it. I love that! It wasn't just a casual touch on the rod, nor was it merely loosely gripping the rod, either; rather, those who made it through did so by HOLDING FAST to the rod. That implies a firm grasp, without letting go, even for a moment.



     In order for all of us to get through the temptations and adversity in such a crazy world, it is imperative that we hold fast to the word of God, through constant prayer, daily scripture study, and weekly church attendance, as well as proactively seeking God's will for our lives and exercising an unwavering resolve to do it. If we allow our grip on the rod to loosen, or completely let go, even for a moment, we risk wandering off and being lost in the world, from which we might never return.

     God loves us, and has provided a way for us to return to Him. Never let go of the Iron Rod; never give up. He loves us and wants all of us to return to Him safely. There is hope, and each and every one of us has the power to make it back.

The Beauty Locked Within

   I love Spring! I am glad that it is finally here!! I looked out of our laundry room window the other day, and looked at the tree that had before been barren and seemingly dead ( as trees usually do during the winter). Far from looking dead though, it now had a million, beautiful, white buds! It was soooo pretty! With Spring underway, and all the trees, and flowers in full bloom, I can't help but ponder life, and the newness of everything all around.

    Although it is a very inspiring topic that I have seen some wonderful blogs about, I am NOT going to be posting about the newness of life. Instead, I am going to take it a completely different direction.

   I actually wanted to focus on the contrast that now exists, between the seemingly dead tree that existed outside our window during the winter months, and the now beautiful tree with millions of white blossoms. For me, those blossoms symbolize life that was locked up inside, waiting for the right moment to be unlocked, and set free.



    We, every one of us, have great potential locked inside. To each is given certain aptitudes, abilities, and accomplishments. Some of those we know of. Many, we do not. In this life, we have a great opportunity and privilege to seek out, to do, and to discover those hidden attributes within all of us.  And we can do so with great help and assistance from our Heavenly Father.
    Going back to the tree, did that tree say, "I am just a dead tree. I don't know if I will ever be beautiful". Nope, not even a little bit. Instead, when the time was right, it stretched out its limbs, and blossomed with all its might, and is now a big, wonderful, leafy tree, that provides shade, protection, and beauty. So, too, we might feel that we are just a dead-looking tree, with little ability or beauty. Not true. Within each of us is the capacity, and ability to do many great, and wonderful things.





  We may look at others, and feel they are much more talented, or more beautiful, or kinder, or more spiritual, or more whatever it may be, than us. Again, did that tree look at a rose bush, and say, "Oh, how I wish I was that rose bush, for how could I ever be half that beautiful?" When that tree blossomed, it rivaled any rose bush I have ever seen. Allow me to add, the greatness of our talents and abilities is not dependent on another's. Rather, it is only dependent on what God thinks, and depndent on if we are living up to, and achieving more of our potential each and every day.

   Each Spring, we get to see the miracle of new life, and new growth all around us. Where once existed a forest of bare limbs, and empty bushes, a vibrant growth of green leaves, and beautiful flowers of all colors flourish around. So too, Christ will help us to discover the beauty that resides within each of us, and as we allow Him, He will unlock the beauty within, and set it free.

Easter

   With Easter just around the corner, let us all take time to ponder on the Birth, Life, Ministry, Suffering, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Although it happened nearly 2,000 years ago, it affects us today just as much as it did so long ago. I personally do not know of a single event in the history of mankind that has had such far-reaching and long-term effect.




    With Easter just around the corner, we should all take time to reflect on Christ and why He is important to each of us. Feel free to check out these links, where many are sharing their feelings about Christ: 

    Along with visiting those websites, there is a new video entitled "He Is Risen". I would encourage everyone to watch it, and ponder on the resurrection of our Savior almost 2,000 years ago. 

Only Two Choices

    This last Wednesday, we went over to some other missionaries' house, and had a wonderfully delightful meal. The meal consisted of pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, deviled eggs, and salad. The meal was healthy, delicious, and gave me the strength, nourishment, and energy I needed. The foods we ate are full of what are called "complex-carbohydrates". Complex carbs take your body longer to break down, thus sustaining you for hours.

   Now, compare this to a meal I had had about a week before that. Let's see, I had apple pie and ice cream for lunch, and then for dessert, I finished it off with some candy. Also pretty tasty. Healthy? Not quite. Those kinds of foods are full of what are called "simple carbs". They break down quickly, causing your blood sugar to spike, and then crash. They wear your body out, and provide little to no strength, energy, and nutrition. They leave you feeling tired, unhappy, and worn out.


 


  So, what does this have anything to do with anything? Eat healthy!
  Ok, as good as eating healthy is, there is a much greater lesson to be learned from these two opposite meals. Those good foods in life that give us strength, energy, and health we can call "love". And the poor foods that leave us feeling weak, unhappy, and worn out we can call "hate", as defined as "the absence of love". When we choose love, we are sustained, and given the energy and strength that we need. It will bring us true happiness, and joy, and will leave us feeling "full" and ready for the tasks ahead.





   On the other hand, when we eat food, or make those choices, that are born of hate, or a lack of caring, we will be left feeling weak, unhappy, and worn out. So, when you are about to make a choice, remember that our choices will either sustain us, and help us to obtain happiness and joy, or they will drain us, leaving us feeling weak, and worn out. Bottom line: Choose Love!

The Worth of a Trial

Well, I wasn't sure what to write, but I decided to just start writing, and hopefully I can get my creative juices jump-started, and I can then think of something to write. I mean, it has been a while since I last posted, but now I am back, so it's all good now, right? Oh, and I wanted to let yall know (though it goes without saying) that you should share my blog with others. Anyways, now for the post:

     I wanted to tell yall about the week we had in the last week of January. We had run out of miles, so we had the opportunity to walk everywhere. Not only that, but during that week, it rained more than the rest of the month combined. Ultimately, I think that those trials were a huge blessing in my life, and I will tell you why.
 

  

   First, I realized that God never leaves us, and I know He was right there the whole time, helping me out, and giving me the strength to carry on.

  Second, I am grateful because although He never left my side, He did allow me to struggle, in order that I could learn and experience the things that I needed to. Just like parents have to let their kids struggle sometimes when they are trying to walk, so too, does God allow us to struggle sometimes, in order that we too, can walk, and find full happiness in this life.

   Third, for the many other valuable lessons I learned, I am grateful for my trials. They opened up my eyes to new insight into my life and who I am. They helped me get to a point where I was teachable. I came to realize more fully that there was more to life than just trying to get by. We can excel! We don't just endure. We endure well, and joyfully, and that is possible because of Christ and His atonement.
  
  So yeah, in some ways, those trials were a real bummer, and I was more tired and sore than I can ever remember being. But, it is when those times come that I truly come to know God. And that makes all of it worth it.



"Before the fruits of properity can come, the storms of life
need to first bring the required rains of testing, which mixes
with the seeds of wisdom to produce a mature harvest"
                                                            - Lincoln Patz