Did you see the play, "Rent"? Well, I did not. But one of my favorite songs is from that play. It's called "Seasons of Love". Here are some of the lyrics:
525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear.
525,600 minutes - how do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
In 525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year in the life?
How about love? How about love? How about love? Measure in love.
Seasons of love.
525,600 minutes! 525,000 journeys to plan.
525,600 minutes - how can you measure the life of a woman or man?
In truths that she learned, or in times that he cried.
In bridges he burned, or the way that she died.
It's time now to sing out,
tho the story never ends let's celebrate remember a year in the life of friends.
Remember the love!
Remember the love! Remember the love!
Measure in love.
Seasons of love! Seasons of love.
Now, you're wondering what on earth does that have to do with anything?? Well, today it has been one year since I got sick. 525,600 minutes. Unbelievable to me. One year has gone by. There would have been a time where I would have said a year that I've lost. A year that I'll never get back, what a waste. Oh but I haven't lost. It wasn't wasted. I've gained so much.
It is about the minutes. And the minutes have been filled with pain, joy, love, heartache, loss, laughter, friendship, Christ, the Church, agony, tears, prayer, memories made, more tears, more laughter, and it goes on and on. Each minute is a minute I will never get back but I do think for the most part, each minute was used to make me more like Christ. Would I want my year to have looked like this? NO WAY! It has been beyond difficult. Would I choose for my husband to have left us? NO WAY! But God is not surprised. He knew what each of these 525,600 minutes would hold. And He told me from the beginning that if I will look to HIM, not a minute would be wasted.
I'm wondering what the next year has in store. But I hope to take it minute by minute. I believe there will be restoration. Restoration of my health. Restoration of my marriage and family. I don't know how it will look. It may not be the way I would choose it. But I am letting go and letting God have this year. Without Him, I don't know where I'd be. Literally!!
I pray that the next 525,600 minutes will be measured by "Seasons of Love". Love to my Father. Love from my Father.
- Sheryl
- I am a mom to 2 great kids. I am a child of God who is pursuing after Him as I learn to live in my "new normal". Diagnosed with a life altering illness in June of 2007 and the end of my marriage less than a year later, life has taken a new path. One that I am learning to accept and appreciate. As my illness caused me to be basically home bound, my family named the living room couch "my perch". Thus the title of this blog.
17 comments:
beautiful, hopeful post that just warmed my soul.
what an amazing amount of minutes!
Precious, my dear friend. I felt my heart and feelings in much of what you wrote. June 22 will be one year for me since my beloved left and my life changed. Slowly but surely, the Lord has shown me all the good and all the blessings that HE has provided in the midst of this valley of pain and heartache and fear and desparation.
Very good post, my friend.
Paula
Oh Sheryl!
... each minute was used to make me more like Christ.
This is just incredible!! I feel like I'm watching a rose slowly blossoming right before my eyes!
God is continuing to to turn your ashes to GOLD.
Thanks for being such an encouragement to me and many others as well.
Hugs to you my sweet friend♥
Amen.. I can so totally relate to this post. This past April was my one year of going through the toughest time with my chronic illness, I although I must say that it has been the most intimate time I have ever experienced with the Lord, and am still experiencing even more of those times till today. Within that year and through it all my soul has blossomed, I like the me I have become..one who has learned to leave it all in the hands of my precious Father, I just snuggle in the palm of his hands as he carries me through each day. I loved this post and have enjoyed my visit I will be back to read more of your beautiful words.
God Bless Lorie
Oh Sheryl, I wish I could give you a hug and tell you face to face how much I appreciate you!!! Your faith is amazing!!! But, our God is awesome, and I know that He has great plans for you!!!
Praying for you daily!!!
Sheryl, your words resonate with my heart. If we could have the perspective of time that God has, we wouldn't need faith. We'd understand there are "seasons" in our lives, and it would be easier to get through them because we'd know they were made up of only moments. Ah, but the Lord wants us to learn to trust Him more and more every day, minute by minute.
Just like you, I love the "Seasons of Love" song from "Rent" but have never seen the play. Still fascinates me that God even uses the secular things to gently teach us simple truths and gently shepherd us along the way. Here's a YouTube link to see and hear the Broadway cast sing it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py_HRW-zg6k&NR=1
I'm praying your next 525,600 minutes will be overflowing with love and good health and restoration and growth. What a great journey you are on!
Blessings, dear one.
Oh, and... part two of my "God and the US Postal Service" story on my blog was already written and set to publish (I was going to be out at a meeting last night) when I got your comment about no part three! Sorry! I'll try to do better next time... maybe. ;)
Sheryl,
So glad I stopped by tonight......I needed a reminder that life is lived MINUTE BY MINUTE! I get overwhelmed with hours/days/monhts.....it is so freeing to think of life as minutes!!!! They are so fleeting and yet can be so meaningful!!!
Love you and praying for you!
Tammy
God is so good! He works ALL things out for the good for those who love Him! Keep believing He will do more in these next 525,600 minutes! I loved this post... and you are so right, it was not a waste!
Much love,
Angie xoxo
p.s. I can send you my address if you REALLY want to help my mom! (Abaylis@comcast.net) You are such a sweet, generous friend and I know God will Bless you for Blessing so many of your sisters in Christ!
Sheryl, your comments on my blog brought joy to my heart. Thank you so much! And I am truly blessed to have been given the link to YOUR post! You have so much insight for your age but no doubt some of this is being developed in the burning and refining process.
I thought about a quote I heard many years ago:
"The same sun that melts the wax hardens the cement."
It is evident that you are allowing God to "melt you and mold you", where He can use you.
Placing the year in minutes is really thought provoking. And then there are the moments. Are you familiar with the song, "Moment by Moment"?
The last verse is:
"Never a weakness that He doth not feel,
Never a sickness that He cannot heal,
Moment by moment, in woe or in weal,
Jesus, my Savior, abides with me still.
Chorus:
Moment by moment I'm kept in His love;
Moment by moment I've life from above.
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine,
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am thine.
mary
p.s. Lord willing, I'll be back to read more of your post!
Sheryl,
Thank you for visiting The Point. I hope you found a blessing there. I wanted to share with you about a program that we are running via our Women's Ministry that you might want to plug into in your area. It is called Divorce Care and it is for those experiencing or who have experienced in the past a divorce or separation. It is an awesome program. www.divorcecare.org There is also a corresponding program for kids called Divorce Care 4 Kids.
Sheryl~
Thanks SO much for stopping by and leaving a comment. I'm so glad that I've found your blog....as I've been reading it this morning....and I'm AMAZED at your strength dear friend.
I'm adding you to my side bar, and I'll be BACK.
Know that I'm praying for you, your health, your family, and your marriage.
Kim~
Sheryl,
You are making such amazing progress on your journey. You are touching so many of us with your words of hope.
I will make a point of living life one moment at a time. It is Summer vacation time for the kids right now and I will make the most of every moment. Thank you for the timely reminder.
Okay - off to play!
Denise in Texas
Oh, i pray your next year will be a jubilee year for you! I'm so glad to have you at Stiletto Army!!
How special to have a necklace to wear as a beautiful reminder of God's promise to "give beauty for ashes."
There is a quote that comes to mind:
"It may not be your way
It may not be my way
But in God's way, He will provide."
Sometimes we may be looking in one direction, expecting the answer to come and God surprises us and comes in another direction. But how He comes and when He comes is always done with his flawless judgement, love, and timing.
You are a blessing!
mary
What a wonderful view! That is the key for me too, my view. I can't change what is happening but I can change my view of it!
Thanks for reminding me of that.
Jen
Sheryl-visiting from Yolanda's blog site! Remember-your scars are beautiful to God and He will use them!! Trust in Him, keep focused on Him. He is building you through all of this. Be strong!!
Ps 40:1-3
In His Gracs~Pamela
Great post. Love that song!
the funny thing is my daughter just danced to this in her recital for the finale.
she has been singing the song for weeks and just keeps commenting on how beautiful the words are.
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