The season I find myself in these days is that of heavy pruning and character building. It feels like so much is getting cut off that all I'm left with is a big stump. It seems as soon as I think there can't be another thing God could root out in my heart, He does, and it hurts even worse than the last. I'm not sure why God chose to deal with all these things at once. I'm not sure why God chose now to do it. I'm not sure how all these things managed to slip by me, here I thought I was doing alright.

It's amazing yet so completely "duh", how a little step after a little step in the wrong direction can leave you stranded in a foreign place faster than you can dig out your map. How one eye off the target can distract you so quickly, how one thought can manifest into an attitude. I have faith that God will see me through, I have peace in knowing I won't be here forever, and anticipation of the next exciting season that I know is coming, I just don't know when.

I'm in rough shape, and I'm not pretty to look at. My eyes are fixed on the promise that He will carry out the work He has started in me to completion. That He will give me the things I need to be whole, not lacking in anything. I look forward to the day when I can stand on a mountain and see all the beauty and splendor of this valley. Until then, I know He is faithful and I know He is God. I can appreciate this time, because I know what it's for.

"Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds, for we know that trials produce perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope."