funerals, crunchy leaves, and chapter books.
This post is in memory of someone dear to me who passed away yesterday evening.
Deaths of loved ones are always hard to go through.
This "loss of a loved one" was unlike any other i've ever experienced.
I didn't known this someone for very long - but when we first met we bonded instantly.
She was one of a kind and irreplaceable.
I saw her every day, and every time I saw her my worries and trials instantly faded.
Norma lasted longer than anyone would have expected.
One thing I loved about Norma was that she was simply always "there" - through the thick and the thin.
She put up with a lot! Even when I didn't treat her the best, she still pulled through.
We almost lost her several times, but Norma wouldn't give in without a good fight.
She brought joy to many, and will be greatly missed.
If you know me at all, you might have heard me talk about Norma before.
>>This is the point where you are probably saying, are you KIDDING ME?! All this fuss over a little fish?! My response...Yes, yes it is! Some think its funny, but I swear sometimes I thought Norma was human - she had a literal personality!
Recently I have seen the changing of seasons in my life. Just like the circle of life, one chapter is closing and another is opening; the death of Norma couldn't have come at a more ironic time! In a time of the excitement of new beginnings and unknown endings, God so delicately let the passing of my fish happen at a time such as this to represent such symbolism. Now you are probably saying, "Really, have you lost it completely? You are taking this dying of your fish thing a little too seriously!" But its true, just stick with me...I have a point, I promise. :)
I have realized that just like a snow ball rolls down the hill, as long as I stay focused on the Lord and follow what HE wants for my life...my life is going to pick up rapidly. It will be the rapid escalation of my heart becoming even more molded to what God wants/has for me. It will be filled with things that are out of my comfort zone, beyond what I could ever handle on my own. How do I know it will be like this, you ask? I know because I am already feeling it; feeling out of my comfort zone and stretched. Growing. Trusting solely In the Lord, needing to rely on the Lord more than ever. Its a good thing, I promise. I'm seeing the benefits for being faithful and how God blesses his children when we let things unfold HIS way, and not as a result of "meddling" with possible outcomes. With every change comes resistance and the need to become accustomed to what is not the norm...something I am still learning to do.
Ironically enough, I absolutely LOVE the change of Seasons. My favorite is Fall - hands down. Do you remember that feeling you got when you were 5 and jumped in a pile of leaves only to find such satisfaction in hearing all the leaves "crunch?" Well I am now in college, and I STILL feel like a little school girl every time I step on a leaf [and will even go out of my way!] just to hear the "crunch!" Its a funny habit that I have never been able to let go, and don't think I ever will to tell you the truth!
Can situations in life kind of be like those leaves? Are there things in our lives worth going out of our way, sometimes even out of our usual paths and comfort zones, to seize and complete? Heck yes there are! I'm realizing now more than ever, that in order to accomplish my goals and dreams it all begins with one step. A step of trust and faith. A chance to rely on the Lord to point me in the right direction and lead me every step of the way...bringing me to places of success and accomplishment - like the feeling you would get if you just crunched a really crispy leaf, but waaaay better! haha.
In all seriousness, God has been doing a lot in my life. He is showing me so many new opportunities - opportunities that even a year ago to date I couldn't image me even entertaining and going after. I'm excited for this new season and even though it can be bitter sweet, when one door closes and a chapter ends...another door opens and God's faithfulness prevails.
"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
- Philippians 1:6
To that verse I cling. I know there are different will be different seasons in my life, I can't escape that. Although, I am so comforted in knowing that the God of the Universe, who has already planned out my life, has promised to not abandon me but to carry out what he has started in me and in my life. He will not give up, but carry it to completion...taking me through many seasons along the way.
"For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
Deaths of loved ones are always hard to go through.
This "loss of a loved one" was unlike any other i've ever experienced.
I didn't known this someone for very long - but when we first met we bonded instantly.
She was one of a kind and irreplaceable.
I saw her every day, and every time I saw her my worries and trials instantly faded.
It was though I was able to gain perspective again when I was around her, because she reminded me how simple life really was.
Norma was her name - she lived a good life.
Norma lasted longer than anyone would have expected.
One thing I loved about Norma was that she was simply always "there" - through the thick and the thin.
She put up with a lot! Even when I didn't treat her the best, she still pulled through.
We almost lost her several times, but Norma wouldn't give in without a good fight.
She brought joy to many, and will be greatly missed.
If you know me at all, you might have heard me talk about Norma before.
...she was my fish. ;)
>>This is the point where you are probably saying, are you KIDDING ME?! All this fuss over a little fish?! My response...Yes, yes it is! Some think its funny, but I swear sometimes I thought Norma was human - she had a literal personality! Recently I have seen the changing of seasons in my life. Just like the circle of life, one chapter is closing and another is opening; the death of Norma couldn't have come at a more ironic time! In a time of the excitement of new beginnings and unknown endings, God so delicately let the passing of my fish happen at a time such as this to represent such symbolism. Now you are probably saying, "Really, have you lost it completely? You are taking this dying of your fish thing a little too seriously!" But its true, just stick with me...I have a point, I promise. :)
I have realized that just like a snow ball rolls down the hill, as long as I stay focused on the Lord and follow what HE wants for my life...my life is going to pick up rapidly. It will be the rapid escalation of my heart becoming even more molded to what God wants/has for me. It will be filled with things that are out of my comfort zone, beyond what I could ever handle on my own. How do I know it will be like this, you ask? I know because I am already feeling it; feeling out of my comfort zone and stretched. Growing. Trusting solely In the Lord, needing to rely on the Lord more than ever. Its a good thing, I promise. I'm seeing the benefits for being faithful and how God blesses his children when we let things unfold HIS way, and not as a result of "meddling" with possible outcomes. With every change comes resistance and the need to become accustomed to what is not the norm...something I am still learning to do.
Ironically enough, I absolutely LOVE the change of Seasons. My favorite is Fall - hands down. Do you remember that feeling you got when you were 5 and jumped in a pile of leaves only to find such satisfaction in hearing all the leaves "crunch?" Well I am now in college, and I STILL feel like a little school girl every time I step on a leaf [and will even go out of my way!] just to hear the "crunch!" Its a funny habit that I have never been able to let go, and don't think I ever will to tell you the truth!
Can situations in life kind of be like those leaves? Are there things in our lives worth going out of our way, sometimes even out of our usual paths and comfort zones, to seize and complete? Heck yes there are! I'm realizing now more than ever, that in order to accomplish my goals and dreams it all begins with one step. A step of trust and faith. A chance to rely on the Lord to point me in the right direction and lead me every step of the way...bringing me to places of success and accomplishment - like the feeling you would get if you just crunched a really crispy leaf, but waaaay better! haha.
In all seriousness, God has been doing a lot in my life. He is showing me so many new opportunities - opportunities that even a year ago to date I couldn't image me even entertaining and going after. I'm excited for this new season and even though it can be bitter sweet, when one door closes and a chapter ends...another door opens and God's faithfulness prevails.
"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
- Philippians 1:6
To that verse I cling. I know there are different will be different seasons in my life, I can't escape that. Although, I am so comforted in knowing that the God of the Universe, who has already planned out my life, has promised to not abandon me but to carry out what he has started in me and in my life. He will not give up, but carry it to completion...taking me through many seasons along the way.
"For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace."
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace."
-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Who knew God could do so much through the life of a little tiny beta fish! ;)
Norma you will be missed! <3
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