Embracing Life's Seasons
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
“Instead of seeing situations as a crisis, consider that these events may be the entry door to something new God has planned for you.” – Os Hillman
Deanna and I were talking the other day while walking our dogs around the RV and manufactured-home community where we live. We look forward to these evening walks around the park as it gives us some quiet time together as well as an opportunity to interact with our neighbors, many of whom attend our new church plant, Midway Bible Fellowship.
“I was talking to Tom Cox,” I told my bride of 38 years, referring to a dear friend of mine who also pastors a church. “I shared with him about how life is full of different chapters, and we can either resist and resent them or embrace and celebrate them, maximizing them for the Lord’s use.”
Specifically, I was referring to being 63 and how my days of playing softball and basketball in prisons across North America have seemingly come to an end. My battle with COVID two years ago took a real toll on my health, particularly my stamina, and it has also been extremely difficult to recruit enough Christian men to accompany me on those prison ministry trips.
And so, as much as I cherished my 35 years of competing on the softball field and the basketball court while sharing my faith, those days are apparently in the rear-view mirror. That means that I can choose to bemoan my situation or to accept it, trusting that God knows best and anxiously – but patiently – awaiting my next assignment. I have chosen the latter approach and the result has been a sense of peace, contentment, and godly anticipation.
In the meantime, I still enjoy playing halfcourt basketball games with at-risk youth as part of our Living H2O Initiative, writing my daily devotional messages, and preaching every Sunday morning. I also look forward to expanding the reach of my political blog, which addresses current events from a Christian perspective.
These are indeed exciting times for Deanna and me, as well as for Risk Takers for Christ. I pray that you, my faithful reader, will likewise embrace life’s different seasons… each one designed and dictated by God’s loving and sovereign hand.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
