
~ S. Barron 12/14
The damp cold of late December and barren trees of old,
cause my heart to stop and reflect, this saying that’s oft retold;
Been there…done that!
Each bud that lies in waiting from dormant stage doth bring,
a little hope of beauty, when longing for the spring.
This tree of fallen leaves, once graced with limbs of life,
seem bare and dead and cold, as if removed by quick blade of knife.
Then as I think on scripture, and stories of ancient time,
This phrase rings even louder, as I play it in my mind,
Been there…done that!
Jonah, David, Moses, Sarah, with mission for to pine,
Two steps forward and another back, it’s the curse of all mankind.
But its roots are placed down deep within the earth to strongly hold,
And the sap that runs to highest limb, gives courage to reach out bold.
I stare at each branch and see myself, and then my lips doth speak;
Been there…done that! It’s a phrase I oft repeat.
Each ring of life protects the core, from weather harsh and cruel.
Fervent bark, wraps ‘round the trunk, its wisdom longs to rule.
That coat I see and oft neglect, bares rugged scars of old,
Its story can relate with mine, it speaks from limbs that told,
Been there…done that…
This coat of bark is essential, to the buds this tree will bring,
Each wave of storm it handles and cause life inside to sing.
The beauty that lies in waiting, will return from dormant fall,
And in due time those buds will burst, with color at its call!

To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 5Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
Did you notice verse 8 and verse 10?
As image bearers and followers of Christ, we are partakers of a divine nature (vs.4) but still must practice these things (vs.10). To practice means: repeated exercise in or performance of an activity or skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it. Proficient is not above average or perfect! It simply means to develop a reasonable level of skill. I have to remind myself to “stop beating myself up” because I have to start over and don’t have it all together! And yes, I must confess…There are still Christmas decorations adorning my house, dishes in the sink, and the guest room is a wreck! My schedule is packed… again…thank you notes not written, unscheduled time with friends has passed, lesson plans and music not written or chosen, my waist is no smaller, and the porch beckons me, “come, spend time with the Lord…” Help me, Jesus! I cry! Have you been there, done that? Relax and stop stressing! Add a little grace and simply reset!

Pressing the reset button on our life seems to be an activity that is ancient! It’s really called repentance! And like Jonah, David, Moses and Sarah, we all have to reset our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We can’t do it on our own. Remember,…apart from Me you can do nothing?!

When I think through the many cycles of life:
- Winter, spring, summer and fall
- Geese, hummingbirds, and butterflies that migrate
- Seeds


Been there, done that!
Sherry