So I was thinking... Seasons.

Seasons.

As I was driving to work this morning I realized it was the last day of summer. I noticed how the leaves on the trees were already turning various shades of yellow, orange, and red. Glorious. God made the seasons change in this exact way. He made summer shift to fall with the air getting crisper, the sun setting earlier, leaves changing colors, etc. He made winter shift to spring with rain to soften the frozen earth to sprout new life. He rebirths the bulbs - flowers bloom. The fragrance of spring is incredible. He shifts spring into summer with the earth tilting towards the sun to ripen all the fruit, provide nourishment to all the plants needing light to grow, longer days to spend with family and friends, and heat turning our skin golden. Let’s not forget those gorgeous Pacific Northwest summer sunsets with every shade of red hiding behind the horizon of evergreens. What if God uses the beauty in the change of seasons to remind us of His goodness during changes and shifts of seasons in our life? I’m not talking about the beauty when you arrive in the new season and get all situated and comfortable - I’m talking about the actual shift and the actual change. When you don’t know what the weather is going to be like tomorrow. That uncomfortable part. That uncertain part. Sandals or boots, scarf or tank top. The change we loathe. The change we get emotional about. The change we complain and yell at God about. I believe God wants us to enjoy and embrace these seasonal shifts. I believe in our uncertainty and vulnerability - we have the opportunity to gain perspective, trust Jesus, and draw closer to Him. What if we take these next few weeks as we watch the leaves fall, order a pumpkin spiced latte, and take down our turtle necks from the attic (let’s be real, I live in a loft apartment - no attic here, just visualize with me…) and think about embracing the shift of seasons. Remembering that God is the God of our life’s mountains, valleys, and everything in between. What if we make a conscious decision to thank God for change. Devote ourselves to understanding that God made these shifts beautiful on purpose. Plant yourself in His goodness, His grace, His love - and I guarantee hope will follow.