Sunday, April 12, 2009

A Time To Keep

I remember when she told me about her fiancé. She showed me the gifts he bought. She told me how loving, kind and generous he was. She told me the places he took her to. She told me the pet names he called her. You can’t imagine what it was like seeing them together in public.

I envied the passion and fulfillment in her voice when she spoke about him. He was the man of every woman’s dreams. His acts, as she had listed to me, became the yardstick for judging mine. Mine was nothing close to this man she described. Glaring was the fact that mine did not call me pet names. He had to go.

When shortly afterwards she got married to someone else, I was curious. How could she leave someone who was so perfect? I inquired. It was then the truth came out. He was not so perfect. He had his shortcomings. After hearing in details about the other side of him, I realized that though mine was not perfect, he was a blessing from God. Simply saying kind words to him changed him to an affectionate, lyrically-tongued man.

Many a times, we build our expectations based on what we get from our senses. If only we could see what we have through the eyes of God, we might just realize that we are possessors of God’s great and precious promises. Maybe we’ll become conscious that we have what others want.

Your desire may be “Do something new in my life” while your heart whispers “It is A Time to Keep”.
There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven:
...A time to keep and a time to throw away…
Ecclesiastics 3:1; 6b.


Indeed it is a time to keep: relationships with friends or siblings that could be mended; love grown cold due to neglect and hurt yet could be healed, jobs that seem demanding or not up to par yet are God’s gifts; memories of God’s goodness drowned in new expectations; and do I mention admission pending the visa to that school that is a form of escape? The list of things to keep is endless.

The grass on the other side may not always be as green as you hope. After leaving all you had for it, you might turn back to meet a shut door that will not be opened again.

But if you think it is a time to throw away, please speak to a person who longs for what you have.

You may desire something new in your life, but all it might take may be for you to do something new [different] in yourself. Then you will see that what you already have is worth keeping.

Speaking of keeping, your belief and trust in God is one thing to keep at all times. Keep your hope and faith alive and set your mind on Him, for He is faithful that promised [1]. Keep your relationship with Him alive because His love has been the only love that never hurts you or leaves a door shut in front of you. Because of the joy awaiting Jesus Christ, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame [2]. That joy was simply the joy of your acceptance and faith in him, the joy that grace, reconciliation and salvation will come to you.

Happy Easter! Enjoy God’s Sweet, Sacrificial, Unconditional and Unfailing Love.

Please note: This post does not suggest that if you are facing a situation that is detrimental to your physical, spiritual or emotional well being, that you should stay in it. It just might be for you “A Time to Throw Away”.

Bible References
[1] Hebrews 10:23b
[2] Hebrews 12: 2b paraphrased.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

nice, nice, niiiice
thanks for this....there's a reason you are on blog, dont stop.

Good Naija Girl said...

You always give me food for thought, Rita. The "grass is greener" syndrome hits me often, especially with my single status, but every other area of my life is really wonderful and I have wondered before if that is why this one area has eluded me. I hope not but you never know.

Have a lovely Easter!

LovePaprika said...

:) I am confused oh should I throw???

Saved Girl said...

beautiful post Rita...but I only expect the best from you, smile.

Kafo said...

i got lost towards the end but the beginning had mii

thank u

bumight said...

tell me about it!...the grass is always not so green on the other side!

Fammy said...

Indeed wisdom is much needed. Know a person who threw away to get something else and ended up losing both. Also God says "you have skirted this mountain long enough, turn Northwards", so I pray for wisdom to know when to keep and when to throw away. May Daddy help us.

Nice Anon said...

Yes you have said it all. Life isn't always as it seems. There are challenges and difficulties.

theicequeen said...

Happy Easter!!!

and you are so right...sometimes, we don't need something new; God has already placed what we need in our lives, we just need to open our eyes and see it..sometimes, things are exactly the way the ought to be, according to His plan

this your blog is so inspiring sef..i am ever so thankful that you write it!

theicequeen said...

ooh and i like the new template too!

Remi, United Kingdom said...

Inspiring...

Usually, when we slow down enough to listen to God, we find out that most of what we need already within our grasp.

Happy Easter Love...

bob-ij said...

Happy Easter hun! And what a lovely post to read this day. As I was in church today, I felt like it was the begining of something good in my life. I don't know what it is but it feels good. I hope it is the awakening of my entire being to the Graces and Glory of God to walk in His ways and to draw ever nearer. Thanks again for this!

x!

Mimi said...

This was very much needed :)

Time to keep definitely!

The Activist said...

Happy easter my darling. Very powerful post

Rita said...

@Naijagirl: Thank you. Today when I was in church it was as if the pastor had read ur post before coming to preach. Thanks too. There is a reason you are here…

@ Good Naija Girl: I feel you. I can imagine that your single status may cause you some worry. I am glad to have witnessed ladies in their 30s get married and have children, and when they talk about their experience, it is always uplifting. You will also give your testimony. And then when you look back you will say “it was delayed but did not elude me”. God’s desire is that we have peace and joy in EVERY area of our lives. This is now available for you because of Jesus.

@ LovePaprika: What (or who :-) ) do you want to throw or keep?

@ Saved Girl: Thank you, you are very encouraging…

@ Kafo: Even me the writer got lost at some point, but I am glad you could get something out of it…

@ Bumight: Thank you for seeing things the way I did, do u have any experience to share?

@ Fanny: Amen. It must have been really sad for the person who lost both ways…

@ Nice Anon: I guess sometimes people try to paint a picture different from the actual…

@Theicequeen: Happy Easter Dear! You are so in the spirit. I once prayed to God for a new job but what He did was show me new opportunities in the job I was already doing. Today, I am more than grateful to Him.
Your comments have really been encouraging to me and I miss you when you are not around.

@ Remi, United Kingdom: Yeah, and I think what is key for us is to be able to listen to God. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Happy Easter to you too…

@Bob-ij: Happy Easter. What you felt in your heart is real. Keep the fire burning…and please do not hesitate to share the milestones in this new beginning…

@Mimi: You’re welcome…

Tigeress said...

When it comes to relatioships i've come realize not to envy other couples. People are going thru stuff and most likely hiding it. The grass sure is greener on the other side......http://mrs-no-soul.blogspot.com/

~Sirius~ said...

As always your word doing what they should.
I liked the end where you also included some things are to be thrown- LoL.....

There indeed is a time for everything. May God continue to be our light, so that we see and keep that which He has given to us, and throw away that which He never intended for us.

Geebee said...

Nice one. Inspiring to the fullest. Being able to determine the 'right time' for anything is a gift worth having just so we know the time to do certain things and when not to.

Isabella said...

Thnk you , really enjoyed this read.Very encouraging :-)

Afrobabe said...

Really love the pic of the old couple...when I see old couples gisting and laughing or the man helping the woman up I just feel a peace in my heart...there is hope for the institution of marriage...

And yes, it's never a good idea to base ur standards on someone's percieved happiness....

Anonymous said...

Naaaiiiccceee! as usual...weldone Rita...

SOLOMONSYDELLE said...

Happy Easte my sista. Another nice post with good advice and guidance.

Lolia said...

El oh el at it might just be a "Time to Throw Away"

Very true though...Hope you had a wonderful Easter dear :)

Unknown said...

"Speaking of keeping, your belief and trust in God is one thing to keep at all times."


I am feeling this post all the way. Rita, you are a blessing to me.

James said...

May God give us the grace to recognise this seasons,not to keep when we ought to toss and the other way as well.

busybee said...

Nice one Rita,

Only God can give us the grace to see beyond the present and stop comparing ourselves with others. There might be huge blessings in store for us if we can just hold on to what He has given us.

Jennifer A. said...

I am beginning the search on things I need to keep...this post was very deep and caused me to reflect.

Thank u so much Rita...*hugs*

JustDB said...

very well written again.. another one of those posts i have to print for future reading... you peeps amaze me.. keep it flowing...

chichi said...

happy easter. lovely post, i needed to hear this word, 'there is a time for everything'... i find myself wanting everything now!!BUT everything has its time. it is well so long as God dey, nuthin do me! my time will come. Amen. Amen.

Kémi Penélopê said...

You are truly an amazing person…God bless your soul for sharing wonderful thought provoking messages with your fellow bloggers…

Happy Easter…!!!

doll (retired blogger) said...

this was written for me ...no doubt

Buttercup said...

wow..thanks for this, Rita..

looking at that pic makes me want Jesus to give me a hug now!

hope u had a great Easter?

Writefreak said...

True...we always tend to think the grass is greener on the other side...i'm learning that it isn't always so! Thanks for the reminder Rita!

Unknown said...

Wow... I love this galfriend..
Is not only well written, the message therein is great. Really inspiring. Kudos

tobenna said...

Rita....
It appears you have relocated to Lagos? Or outta the country?

The grass is always green on the other side oh. Its when we cross that we realise it may not be.
Allow us to cross first and conclude.

How are you keeping?

Lady A said...

Wow, wow, wow. I truly believe that was needed for all of us. It wasn't a guy in my case, but a dream job. Yup, we are to never envy what someone else has...no one is perfect.

David C Brown said...

"...Now is a time to keep your heart
From sin, the world, and Satan’s wiles
With grace Christ wishes to impart
To guard you when their power beguiles..."

Rita said...

@Tigeress: It is indeed a wise lesson not to envy other couples but rather focus on making ours work…

@ ~Sirius~: Amen, that is the prayer for the season…

@ Geebee: I desire this gift of knowing the right time…but I guess we need Gods help with this said...

@Miss FlyHigh – LondonsNaijaQueen: You are welcome. Thanks very much.

@Afrobabe: Just the same way I feel when I see old couples. Yet I always wonder what they could have gone through to reach such stage.

@Justdoyin: Thank you…

@SOLOMONSYDELLE: Thank you. Happy Easter.

@Lolia: Well, if it is a time to throw away, pls do so there can be space for new things…
I had a great Easter. Hope you did too.

@ Olamild: Wow, thank you so much. *Hugs*

@ Telekinesys: Amen…

Rita said...

@ Arewa: Thank you. Oh yes, some things that we have might just be huge blessings afterall at one point in our lives, we thought they were blessings…

@ Jaycee: You are welcome. Big *hugs* too…

@ JustDB: People like you that leave beautiful comments are indeed encouraging. Thank you.

@Chichi: Amen oh…your own will come at the perfect time…

@ Kémi Penélopê: Amen…Thank you very much…

@ Doll: Thank God…hope you are doing good…

@ THIRTY +: You are welcome…

@ Buttercup: Are you sure He is not hugging you right now? Yes, Sweet Buttercup, I had a great Easter…reflecting on what my life would have been if He did not die for me…Hope you had a lovely Easter…

@ Writefreak: You are welcome dearest…

@ Ms. SpicyTee: Thank you…

Rita said...

@Tobenna: My broda, I relocated to Lagos. Lol @ allow us to cross first and conclude. Oya now, go. When you reach there, please give me your verdict.
I am fine. How are you and Madam?

@ Lady A: Very true…

@ David C Brown: I really enjoy your comments, they are so enlightening. Thank you.

1 + The One said...

This is soo lovely and so true..."the grass is greener on the other side" syndrome is something we all need to deal with..
Your blog is lovely..xx