Expectation and Release

Everything in this world is caught up in a cycle: a clear beginning and end that meet face-to-face to begin again. Cycles have a rhythm and invite us to seasons of expectation and release. As early as 9 years old, girls enter the cycle of expectation and release known as the period.

Every month an egg is released, and travels to the uterus in hopes that it will meet a sperm and spark life. It waits expectantly for 24 hours. After a day it is no longer viable and signals the start of the period 10 - 14 days later.  Blood, fluid and cells of the uterine lining are released as period. (Jean Hailes for Women's Health). With a healthy period, this final release is accompanied by some dull pain lasting 1 to 2 days. And then the end meets the beginning again--the body is hopeful. 

Here in the mundane is an ode not only to life, but to resurrection. Yes, there's a difference. Life is beautiful. Life is worthy of being celebrated. But resurrection brings a greater joy than life uninterrupted. Resurrection is the coming forth of what should have been lost. It is a miracle multiplied, that after failed expectation there could be life. It is as water breaking a parched season. However, the joy of resurrection can only be fully experienced when we release the weight of the failure--of the interruption. It is in releasing this weight that we are freed to look upward in the present moment and have our hearts awakened in His presence to the new thing He performs here and now. (Isaiah 43:19). It is in this releasing that we are able to expect  a good a beautiful end. (Jeremiah 29:11).

Beloved, take care this week by releasing the old and making room to appreciate what God is doing. As you express gratitude for how God is working in your life, you will find your joyful expectation in Him resurrected.

Journey with us for the month of March as we look at menstrual health.

Happy temple building!

Take care. Bless many.