Afresh: Seasons and Perspective

Wind: strong persistence perfectly balanced by calm passion. Bare skin bitten from wrath; yet ears detect soft whispers while eyes behold how the seasons are ushered according to their time. The Creator is so; gentle and mighty, directing perfect peace and chaos with the guidance of His eternal hand. Father, let us not forget Your temper as to be stung, but to bask in Your ever-present compassion.

Working at a café definitely has perks and I treasure the memories I make volunteering at Bookafe Oradea.  Presently, I am still traveling the journey of learning Romanian and my colleagues are picking up more English as we spend time together. Győngyi is a mother of two boys, wife to a construction worker-turned-bike-repair man, and is the kindest, most servant-hearted woman one could meet. Her attitude is continuously positive and joyful and her patience seems to know no end, a trait to which I am very grateful. 

Just the other day, she ran over to me at the bar expressing her excitement over the song that was playing on the radio. Telling me to listen, because it was my national anthem. I listened, expecting to hear about flags, pride, and bombs bursting in air, but my ears were met with a sweet melody declaring a testimony of God’s mercy.  After a bit of confused silence, I recognized the song to be Amazing Grace. The moment I realized this, I burst out in laughter, and quickly explained the mix up.  And we both continued, laughing at small mix-ups, enjoying the day together.

Later that night, reflecting on the day’s events, I began to entertain the idea of Amazing Grace at an anthem. What if, as people, we took pride in God’s work and hand in our lives, instead of our country, or perhaps worse, ourselves. All too often, my thoughts are full of my own abilities, or lack thereof… When my time is much better spent basking in the revelation of our Creator. How much grander are His plans than our own. Since then, my joy has been fuller, and my patience deeper. I know that there is still a lot in my heart He wants to help me with, but I know that nothing will get done without His help. I challenge you to do the same, let yourself be overcome with thoughts of Him and see where it leads you. Allow that wind to carry you into your next season and expect Him work, because He will.