Seasons

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
-- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

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With Autumn well under way, I've been thinking about how God changes things. This time of year He takes beautiful leaves and makes them even more beautiful which leads to dormancy and death... but this death leads to new life when Spring finally comes after the long cold winter. When Spring comes, I am often overwhelmed with joy to the point of tears. I love the smells, sounds and sights of new life... In Autumn I love to watch the colors change but I start to feel a sense of sadness because I know that Winter is coming. While Winter is beautiful in it's own way, it is cold and often uncomfortable.

As I was thinking about all of this, I started to think of the different seasons in my life. I cycle through periods of change, growth, death and new life often. I guess I just need to remember that, no matter how long a "winter" phase may seem to last, "spring" will come again... it always does. I just need to learn to practice patience and seek God in all things and ask Him the purpose of each season in my life because "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..." and I want to take every opportunity I'm given to grow and change to be more like Him.

Lord, thank you for seasons. I pray for patience to wait for the "spring" when I'm overwhelmed with thoughts of "winter" but more importantly I ask that You would lead me back to You when I get caught up in self pity and shame. My heart's desire is to follow You but I need Your help to stay on the right path.

photos (c) 2006 by DKF