Seasons are that way. They sneak up on us, don't they? One day it is so cold you cannot steal enough courage to walk outdoors, knowing the north wind will painfully punish any skin that happens to be left uncovered. And, the next, you look out and see new populations of birds at the feeder, and leaf buds forming all over the still bare tree limbs that reach desperately toward the heavens as if looking for what they need to bring them back to life.
Isn't this true of humans too? As in nature, we pass through seasons of life and sometimes we can't know when the season will change. Just when we think we can take no more - no more stress, no more bad news, no more uncertainty - a friend comes along and throws us a life preserver in the form of an encouraging word, an offer of help, or simply an ear to listen with true concern. Suddenly, the sky isn't as dark and our countenance begins to soften as the stress melts, even if only for a while.
Sometimes we are sailing along enjoying our summer without a care in the world - all is well. The kids are healthy and happy, the finances are in order, the job is secure, and then it comes crashing down. The season is suddenly changed to a cold, dreary, gloomy time that seems without hope or answers, or end. The marriage you thought was rock solid is falling apart. One of your kids is abusing drugs. Your company is about to downsize. You ask, "What happened?"
Life happened.
The seasons of life ebb and flow. We're not privileged to live in uninterrupted summer (insert whichever season is your favorite here - mine happens to be summer) with our smiles, our tans and our icy lemonade. But, we are blessed to witness the beauty and joy of summers, and that helps us, and even prepares us, to endure the harsh times of winter.
A deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ is the way we get through the seasons of life and maintain a joyous attitude. When we carve time out of our lives during every season to build our relationship with our Savior, we find that in good times and bad we maintain joy. We can face the sudden changes in life with a smile and with the assurance that in the end we will live in the beauty and the glory of perpetual summer.
What season are you in currently? Are you desperately reaching for what will bring you back to life? The Good News is you don't have to reach far, just grab His hand. He's right beside you.
Be love and be blessed,
