Chaplains' Chat

Hello everyone,

I would like to talk about seasons and now that Summer is over, I am a bit excited. I enjoy Autumn, I really LOVE Winter and then I enjoy Spring but I know what's coming afterwards -  I then tolerate Summer. I don't like the heat, but living in Albany we have had a VERY mild Summer compared to some other places in WA. My bathers are in cobwebs as I haven't got to one of our gorgeous beaches this year, yet. March can be quite hot down here though, so there is still time.

We have four seasons we can watch and feel, and we also have different seasons in our lives. There can be many types of seasons through our lives; some can be wonderful seasons, and then some not so great at all. The one thing I do know through all the seasons I have experienced is that God is always there amongst it.

Hebrews 13:5b: because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Our church is going through the book of Esther at the moment and in the last sermon our pastor talked about the game hide and seek, and how little children are the best and worst at it. They can find the best hiding places that can have us looking for them for a long time, but they are terrible at keeping quiet or staying still and so with the cute little giggles or movement of curtains we can find them quickly. In the book of Esther God is actually not mentioned, but you can see and hear Him in the background of this story. I really liked hearing this. It was a reminder that God is in the background of the seasons of our lives, and He is always with us, sometimes just waiting for us to ask for help. How loving and gracious He is. He asks us to trust in Him, His will, His way and His timing.  

Yes, it is hard when you are waiting on guidance from God and going through a tough time, but they are the times I turn to thankfulness -  for what God has done for me, from the smallest things to the biggest things in my life. To be honest I sometimes don't turn towards thankfulness quickly -  I moan and complain, and then remember to look up to God for help. I am human and God knows and loves me, and waits for me to come back to Him for help and guidance. On hearing the sermon about the hide and seek game, I reflected on how God has been there in the background many times of my life, guiding me, encouraging me, and waiting for me to come to Him for help, provision or even answers. But in His will, His way and His Timing.

One of the verses I turn to during these times is:

Prov 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

I can see how God has been with me during my hard times, just like God was with Esther in her time of difficulty.

So as the Summer Season is changing around us at the moment and coming to a close, and as we head into Autumn, enjoy what changes you can see and feel. And remember when you are going through something to turn to God and ask for help -  He listens and all we need to do is wait, pray and remember what He has done for us already. Mr Wiseman and myself are also here for you, to chat to you and pray for you. You can email us and we will get in contact to listen and support you. As Chaplains that's what we do, so please reach out if you need. 

God's richest blessings to you all.

A plaque my daughter bought while on a trip to Canada and America a quite a few years ago. It was bought in a shop run by the Amish people. I didn't know she knew this was one of my favourite verses. A very special gift.