Jodi was
dumfounded. Has God been
with me after all? She
mused as she clicked the phone
back into the receiver.
Sluggish thoughts, sluggish
actions, overwhelming fears,
uncertain future - Jodi’s
depression seemed to be an
impenetrable fortress.
Isolated in her own private
hell, Jodi had been shaken from
her foreboding by Anna’s
unexpected phone call.
Anna’s intriguing words goaded
her to discard her comfy pajamas
and dress to meet her friend at
the café as arranged. She
has been praying for me and has
something to tell me from God?
Jodi’s curiosity was aroused, as
were her anxieties. It had been
many days since she had ventured
out the front door.
Punctual as always, Anna waited
patiently for Jodi. Rising
from the table she greeted Jodi
with a kiss and hug. She
looks immaculate as ever, Jodi
thought, studying Anna’s face
and clothing. Hair out of
place, no make-up, donned in a
drab, loose-fitting T-shirt,
with mournful eyes and late,
Jodi sat opposite her friend and
offered a weak smile. Anna
is always so bright and cheery.
How can I tell her...how dead I
feel, useless, lost...
The waitress emptied her tray of
delectable sweet goodies with
speed and flair. Anna said thank
you with her radiant smile but
Jodi hadn’t noticed that her
crepe and coffee had arrived.
“Jodi,” Anna started, “I want to
tell you a story!”
“Sure.” Jodi said without
really meaning it. With my
aching heart, a ‘story’ is the
LAST thing I need right now, she
thought with a pang of sadness.
Pointing out through the cafe’s
glass window Anna asked Jodi,
“What season is it right now?”
“Spring.” Jodi replied lamely.
“Does Spring ever come without
experiencing Winter first?” Anna
continued.
Somehow that statement arrested
Jodi’s attention.
“The new leaves have recently
unfolded, and soon flowers will
also appear. But, do you
remember what these trees looked
like a few weeks ago?
Jodi nodded.
“Well, in the same way we go
through ‘seasons’ in our lives
and in our walk with God.
Winter is the most difficult of
all seasons for us to pass
through. Judging by
outward appearances, the tree
looks dead - it seems impossible
that it will ever live again.
But despite its bleak
appearance, something incredible
is going on inside the tree
during the death of winter.
It’s a hidden thing, but
essential preparations are
taking place within the tree
during the winter.”
Jodi stared in astonishment -
the words were like burning
arrows from God to her heart.
“There’s a natural time-lock set
in motion by the Creator.
At the right time the tree
emerges from its winter
hibernation and springs into
sudden action. Leaves
appear, buds emerge, fruit is
produced. The new growth is
rapid and visible.”
Anna paused to sip her hot
chocolate. Jodi finally
relaxed and smiled. The
napkin she had been fiddling
with in her nervousness had
finally been discarded on the
table.
“Nature often reflects spiritual
truths and we have seasons just
like trees do. When we go
through winter ‘seasons’, often
we don’t understand what is
really going on within us.
Secretly, in our hidden places,
God is working in us - preparing
us for our next season of
growth...our next season of
enlargement and fruitfulness.
Right now Jodi, you are in a
‘winter’. But at the
appointed time, the Lord will
faithfully bring you out into
the Springtime too!”
“Oh! Look at the time.
Gotta rush Jodi!” Anna said as
she stood to leave. “I’ll
pay the bill,” she announced
with a broad smile and left with
an affectionate departing
embrace.
Jodi was in no hurry to leave.
Her soul had been rejuvenated,
refreshed by the word from God.
The symptoms of her lonely
‘winter’ paraded through her
mind: ...God seems far away.
I can’t pray, can’t get anything
out of the Word like I used to.
I feel empty, alone, doubting my
salvation, emotional...
Finishing her cold coffee, Jodi
sat for a while to reflect on
her incredible encounter with
God. "Oh how could I have
ever doubted Your love?
All along You’ve been at work in
me...on a deeper level. I didn’t
recognize Your work," Jodi
prayed. Today’s meeting with
Anna was a Divine appointment!
I’m in a Winter season, and I
understand now exactly what has
been happening to me...and in
Your perfect time You will
restore my joy and my broken
life!
by Karen Elengikal
9/22/2006
© 2006 Karen Elengikal
My Website:
www.Godinspired-PhotoArt.com
Article Source:
http://www.faithwriters.com
Karen Elengikal
is an inspirational, published
writer from Sydney, Australia.
Karen's first book 'Kidz Battle
Zone' and a series of 12
illustrated children's stories
will be published and released
in 2006-2007.
