“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV
I love the changing of the seasons, but autumn is my favorite. There’s something about the kaleidoscope of colors, the crunchy leaves under my feet, the fresh crisp air, and all the fall goodies.
As I’ve entered my forties, I’ve noticed more than ever the correlation between the changing seasons and the seasons of life.
Every decade of our lives brings challenges and victories. Sometimes we stand on the mountaintop after a long, exhausting climb upward, and look at the vast beauty surrounding us. We’ve worked hard, kept the faith, and, for the moment, Satan isn’t on our heels. However, everything that goes up must eventually come down, which means time spent in the lonesome valley as well.
During autumn, the trees conserve energy and vital nutrients by shedding their leaves. To us, the process is beautiful, but it’s also a sign of what’s coming. The trees must go through this shedding process to survive the harsh elements of winter, and so must we.
As we age and transition into new seasons of life—or an unexpected circumstance throws us into a new season—the process of shedding our expectations and preconceptions is sometimes uncomfortable but necessary to survive the trial that lays ahead.
This reminds me of the children’s Sunday School song, “He’s still working on me to make me what I ought to be…” The end goal is to become more like Christ, and since we’re all sinners that means we all need a lot of work to get there.
The great news is that God is with us through every change, every lesson needing learned, and every season of life. The transition may be difficult, and we may have to “shed” some things, but stand strong though your bleak winter. Rest assured, a new season budding with blessings is coming soon.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
Candice Sue Patterson writes Modern-Vintage Romance—where the past and present collide with faith. She’s the author of thirteen historical and contemporary romance novels. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and her website.