The weather is changing these days. The long hot days of summer are becoming fewer and farther between. Ahead are the cooler, crisper days of fall. As most of you regular blog readers know, Fall and Spring are my favorite seasons with Fall ahead of the pack by a stretch.
Lately rain has come to my yard, sometimes even coming as massive downpours for short times but enough to really make big puddles in my yard. I recall that one day a few days ago was actually the five or six year anniversary of the massive flood we experienced here in our county. I recall firstly that my bank flooded and my safe deposit box that sat on the next to the last row from the bottom was flooded along with many others. What a mess! Yes, I have one now that is eye level. I recall on that scary day standing in my office watching as the creek down the road overflowed it's banks. Scary but amazing at the force as I watched the large ice machine from the store there float across the then muddy water covered road over to our land. That was one heavy machine floating along as if it was a float on the ocean. I remember that finding a route safe to get to my house was a challenge that day and I held my breath as policemen would direct cars one by one through the water to be sure each got through safely. It was an occasion I don't want to ever experience again.
I look forward as the weather begins to cool down, the skies seem clearer and bluer, and the leaves begin to turn. Seasons change and bring us many different times of refreshing. Fall with the crisp beauty. Winter with times of cold and wishes of spring. Spring with the singing of birds and clear skies and warmer temperatures after the bitter cold, dreary winter. And my least favorite, Summer, brings the heat and wishes for cooler fall. Sounds like a vicious cycle, doesn't it? Just kidding...
As I think of these times of weather seasons, it's a lot like that with life, isn't it? Seasons of joy when all is beautiful, happy, and filled with delight. Seasons of change that many people would prefer to not have. Seasons of physical sickness (or worse) with health that we don't understand. Seasons of bodily change that comes with the aging process. Painful seasons of loss. Seasons of gain. Seasons of disappointment. Seasons of satisfaction. Seasons of despair. Seasons of thankfulness. Seasons of spiritual renewal.
One thing we can be sure of through all the seasons of our life is just as our world's seasons are controlled by a higher power, so are our lives. We can be assured that through all the seasons of our lives, our Lord is constant and true. And that gives us all great hope that "It is well", no matter what our circumstances may be. As the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 tells there is "to every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven". That should give us all assurance of the best kind. If we had no cold or rain, we wouldn't appreciate the sunshine or the rainbow. Some day I just need reminding of that.
So bring on the fall leaves, cooler weather, and pumpkins! I'm ready.....
Lately rain has come to my yard, sometimes even coming as massive downpours for short times but enough to really make big puddles in my yard. I recall that one day a few days ago was actually the five or six year anniversary of the massive flood we experienced here in our county. I recall firstly that my bank flooded and my safe deposit box that sat on the next to the last row from the bottom was flooded along with many others. What a mess! Yes, I have one now that is eye level. I recall on that scary day standing in my office watching as the creek down the road overflowed it's banks. Scary but amazing at the force as I watched the large ice machine from the store there float across the then muddy water covered road over to our land. That was one heavy machine floating along as if it was a float on the ocean. I remember that finding a route safe to get to my house was a challenge that day and I held my breath as policemen would direct cars one by one through the water to be sure each got through safely. It was an occasion I don't want to ever experience again.
I look forward as the weather begins to cool down, the skies seem clearer and bluer, and the leaves begin to turn. Seasons change and bring us many different times of refreshing. Fall with the crisp beauty. Winter with times of cold and wishes of spring. Spring with the singing of birds and clear skies and warmer temperatures after the bitter cold, dreary winter. And my least favorite, Summer, brings the heat and wishes for cooler fall. Sounds like a vicious cycle, doesn't it? Just kidding...
As I think of these times of weather seasons, it's a lot like that with life, isn't it? Seasons of joy when all is beautiful, happy, and filled with delight. Seasons of change that many people would prefer to not have. Seasons of physical sickness (or worse) with health that we don't understand. Seasons of bodily change that comes with the aging process. Painful seasons of loss. Seasons of gain. Seasons of disappointment. Seasons of satisfaction. Seasons of despair. Seasons of thankfulness. Seasons of spiritual renewal.
One thing we can be sure of through all the seasons of our life is just as our world's seasons are controlled by a higher power, so are our lives. We can be assured that through all the seasons of our lives, our Lord is constant and true. And that gives us all great hope that "It is well", no matter what our circumstances may be. As the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 tells there is "to every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven". That should give us all assurance of the best kind. If we had no cold or rain, we wouldn't appreciate the sunshine or the rainbow. Some day I just need reminding of that.
So bring on the fall leaves, cooler weather, and pumpkins! I'm ready.....
