At 3am the storm hit – hail and thunder, pounding rain. And with it came the cold. Shortly after, my 4 year old clambered into our bed, feet and hands like ice blocks. Winter had announced its arrival. We knew it was coming of course. But the glorious long summer that we had been enjoying disappeared in an instant. You see apart from the mountainous pile of leaves that my oak tree had shed one could easily be forgiven for thinking that Autumn had not yet come, let alone winter.
Just last week, in the heat and mugginess of the day, shop windows with their winter knit displays seemed absurd. Today they looked delicious and compelling. This year the start of winter has been abrupt (and dispruptive!). We weren’t seduced into its arms by cooler evenings and fresh breezes, it just brashly arrived. And so flannelette sheets have urgently made their way onto the boys’ beds.
Our lives also have seasons. Seasons of growth and opportunities, seasons of rest, seasons of change. It is so important to embrace the season that we are in. Seasons of change are fluid and temperamental with uncertainty and restlessness. Seasons of rest are quiet but filled with the grace of God. But whatever the season, each season prepares for the next. The season of rest prepares for the season of change and gives you the strength and reserves for it. The season of change often precedes the one of growth. Just has nature has a pattern in the seasons so do our lives.
The change in season may be gentle as spring makes its gracious entrance with new growth pushing through the soil or may be as abrupt as the Winter that has appeared today. As my oak tree sheds its last leaf its energy will be going into its roots, growing strong so that in the Summer it can take the weight of its new leaves and acorns. I don’t know what season of life you are in but remember it is important. Do not be discouraged or compare yourself with anyone else; simply be obedient to what God has called you to in this moment on this day in this particular season. What goes on in someone else’s field is for them to tend and nurture. Our responsibility is for our field.
Don’t fight the season! Understand that there is gold in every single stage of life. I’m embracing winter now – the duvets, the hot drinks, the scarves and my red polka dot umbrella will be much enjoyed!
Blue Skies & Lollipops 