Friday, September 10, 2010

Seasons

With a slight chill in the air I know fall is fast approaching. While I do enjoy the beauty of fall, I don't really care for the long dreary days of the winter months. I guess that comes from all the years of working outside in all sorts of weather. Now that I'm no longer able to work, I don't mind winter as much.
Life is like the seasons, we go through different seasons in our journey of life. When I reflect back over my life and all I've been through and the different seasons I've experienced up to where I am now, sometimes the only thing I can think of is why Lord. There have been seasons of joy, despair, hope, satisfaction, contentment, and those periods of drought when I felt parched and thirsty, lost and confused, delusional from the scorching heat of the dessert, searching for the oasis I knew was out there somewhere. Just when it seemed everything was finally going the way I wanted it to, I was thrown another curve ball, the diagnosis of ALS.
In the last five years, I went from being a strong healthy self sufficient man to someone that has to rely on other people to do just about everything for me. While this certainly not the path I would have chosen for myself, it certainly has taught me many things about life. Am I angry at God? Not at all. God said all things work together for the good. I need to trust him with that. As a friend I met online used to say, "Dang ALS, but God is good" She recently went home to be with the Lord. Along with her, I'm declaring God is good!
Just as each passing day brings us closer to the end of the year, so it is with life. That day will come for everyone. Some are born and never experience a single day of life. Some lives will be cut short due to a tragic accident or disease. Whatever the case may be, we all live for a season.

8 comments:

Chad said...

well written, dad. I'm reminded of the youtube video of the guy who had cancer. He said if God heals me, then God is good. If God does not heal me, then God is still good. Even though your going through a time in your life that you wouldn't have planned for yourself, God is still good and he's in control. Thanks for your encouraging words! Love you!

Clint Miller said...

thanks for your wisdom! you the man dad! love ya

Verna said...

Gordie you are one of the best writer I know!! Here all thise years you were roofing...etc..you could have been writing books!:-) Thanks again for the reminder how good God is!
Love you!
Verna

Chris said...

Gordie, I've also been thinking a lot about seasons lately. Thank you for sharing some wisdom here. It's encouraging to be reminded that seasons come and go and that God is good through all of them!

shawn smucker said...

Thanks Gordie. This was a timely post for me. I appreciate your willingness to share what you're going through.

Anna Mae said...

Thanks for the reminder. Because God is Good. Life is hard but God is always with his kids for whatever we are facing. You are certainly an inspiration to MANY. You keep on plugging away in spite of the limitations. Thanks! Your sis

Rebecca Wilson said...

Gordie~ You are an inspiration to everyone, but especially those with a chronic disease with no cure. Life is scary and the unknown even worse. But with God, all things are possible! Thank you for your honesty and for sharing your love story with God and your family. It is truly awesome!

Anonymous said...

Well written, Gordie. I am so glad you continue to write--I was so bummed I had to miss your day at the Gap--it was a beautiful day!! Hope to see you and Emy soon at the "BIRD"

Mary Ann