Seasons Come and Seasons Go

I love when the seasons begin to change. I love when winter turns into spring. I love when spring becomes summer. I enjoy the beginning of fall. I appreciate (notice - not love) the crisp cold of winter.

But my most favorite of all is when the bitterness of winter comes to an end, and the freshness of spring creeps up! I guess of all the four seasons, winter would have to be my least favorite. (I hate- absolutely HATE- to be cold!)

As we were driving back from beautiful Northwest Arkansas on Monday, Rusty wanted me to do some typing for him on the computer. I told him he had to wait until we were past the beauty of spring coming alive in the rolling hills.

I just couldn't miss out feasting my eyes on the cow dotted valleys and flower studded meadows. Then every once in a while I would see an old barn, complete with the worn paint and tattered windows. All of this was surrounded by the emerging fresh green of spring. I just loved it!!

On the other hand, there is my yard. ha! I do not have a green thumb, pink thumb, or brown thumb. - I think I am known in the plant world as "The Terminator" or better yet - "The Ultimate Grim Reaper". :) But, someone who lived in this house before me loved to plant things. Out of my kitchen window I have the pleasure of watching some annuals come alive every year. I would tell you what they are, but I have no clue. I do know that there is a tulip plant that a couple of weeks ago bloomed the most beautiful and brilliant red!

I have said all of that to get to this point:

Seasons come and seasons go.

With the changing of seasons come different expectations, different blooms, and different climates. We prepare for the different seasons by purchasing warmer or cooler clothing. We prepare our homes. We prepare our vehicles. We prepare our children.

Seasons come and seasons go.

Why then do the changing seasons in our lives find us so unprepared? God told us in His Word that "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

I love when winter turns to spring, but my favorite season to enjoy is summer. I would love to live in the Florida Keys and enjoy the warm summer weather year round. How many of us would love to live in the blessings of God forever - enjoying the good times- the vacation mentality of life?

Seasons come and seasons go.

But the one thing that makes summer more enjoyable to me is the stark contrast from the bitter cold winter months (well, I know "bitter cold" is a relative term since I live in the south.:) ) We learn to love the warmth of summer because we were tired of the freezing cold of the winter. We learn to anticipate the vibrant colors of the fall foliage after the "greenness" of summer. The beauty of the white snow is refreshing after autumn's leaves have drifted away and left bare tree branches.

Contrast from one season to the next

brings an appreciation for what is coming.

Even in life~

we appreciate more the winds of change

after the routine of complacency or the turbulence of trials.

I am reminded of another verse - "He (a righteous man) is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:3

There is a season in which fruit will grow. All of the seasons are needed to produce the sweet fruit of the harvest. So, I encourage you today, regardless of what season of life you are facing, allow the grace of God to see you through. The harvest time is coming. All seasons work together to bring about the delicious fruit.

Stay planted firmly by the streams of water. Endure the seasons.

You will yield your fruit IN SEASON.

Your leaf will not wither. Whatever you do will prosper.

Psalm 1 is a psalm to live by! I encourage you today to read it, study it, and live by it. It tells us where not to walk, where not to go, where not to dwell. It encourages us about what to take delight in and what to meditate on.

Seasons come and seasons go!

I pray you enjoy your season of today as you anticipate the season of harvest for tomorrow!

blessings and prayers!

dorinda