Thankful for...the Seasons

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Today I met a friend for lunch and on my drive back, I noticed how beautiful the leaves look...it was a breathtaking display of dark reds, firey oranges, brilliant golds and bright yellows. It made me appreciate the sign of seasons changing. Each spring I'm thankful to see flowers blooming and green growing, but I'm just as happy to see the leaves start to change color as a sign that fall has arrived. Even Christmas lights outside are a welcome sign that winter is approaching, a time for snuggling up next to the fire, breaking out our wintery sweater wardrobe and spending quality time with family and friends. I think each season offers a glimpse of hope that change is just around the corner.

I'm glad that seasons in our life change, too. I remember worrying over homework in high school and my sister reminding me that "this, too, shall pass." And it did. From days spent in high school to days spent in college to long days spent at work...these days are gone for now and a new season is here of needing to spend time pouring into Joshua's life. Even in the short year of Joshua's life, there have been many changes from holding a snuggly little guy while feeding him a bottle to watching him learn how to cruise around and not want to be held as much...

Right now with Jamie's days numbered, it feels like a "time to die", a "time to weep" and a "time to mourn." But, I'm grateful that this, too, is a season. And, with God's grace there's a "time to be born," a "time to laugh" and a "time to dance" around the corner. For as we see the changing of the seasons, we recognize God is still in control and bringing about change in both the weather and our lives. Today I'm thankful for the seasons of life. May we enjoy each one with grace and thanksgiving in our hearts.

Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.