Tarran Deane

Shakespeare said, "How do I compare thee to a Summer's Day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate, though rough winds do shake the darling buds of May and Summer's lease hath all too short a date".

Summer in the Southern Hemisphere ended here yesterday with the passing of more tropical showers and a Tsunami warning generated by the Chile earthquake. The rain continues today and though the Tsunami did not eventuate, our lives sometimes have seasonal storms and the occasional threat of a near disaster that exist in our mind and fail to materialise despite us spending hours considering what might or might not occur. The future is a pretty tough gig to predict.

The onset of Autumn in our part of the world heralds a period of deep change. Leaves fall, summer fruits cease, bulbs are planted for a new Spring harvest. The tropical rains will begin to ease. Westerly winds will gather strength and prepare for the winter chills that come upon our coastal towns. While it may appear in this upcoming season that our personal progress slows quite the opposite will be true. God does His best work in this season of our lives. Energy can be redirected to the root systems, ensuring our faith foundation is strong and steadfast preparing as it were for the new growth that will spring forward in the following months.

Remember, if you find yourself in a dry season; a season where questions go unanswered or where grief lies at your door - hold fast in your faith. Just as your faith roots are being adjusted your story will inspire and encourage other women and men to keep on going.

Don't EVER think that Autumn and Winter mark the end of Hope! Hope continues and we have to decide daily what we shall focus on. So let's focus on HIM, the giver of life in every season of our lives:

H - Happiness, hospitality to others, holding fast to God's promises, honourable, hiding (taking comfort in)your very real faith
O - Opportunity, Offering (generosity to others), obedient - sometimes you've just got to do the right thing and not whinge about it (yeah, I know this can be hard when you're simply weary and grieving - but don't give in)
P - Possibility, purpose driven, peace-filled, positioned strategically for growth
E - Examine our lives, be energised, expectant, example to others, enduring - don't dare quit, extol one another - encourage people coming alongside them & holding them up when they're weary or taking 'faith risks'.

I'm challenged by this and the stories of others that inspire me. Don't quit. When we understand how valued we are by God as individuals and how collectively we are loved as His Church, I am compelled to navigate the different seasons of life.

Outside the rain continues to fall. Life isn't perfect. Autumn comes. Roots go down further and through faith, new growth will occur. Our God is Mighty and is committed to you. God remembers you and I in and out of every season. Hold fast and press onwards. Do not quit or give up on the people in your lives. Pray for one another regularly.

Loving you from Australia's Pacific Coastline

Kisses

Tarran