To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
One unseasonably warm day at the end of January, my daughter, who was four at the time, and I decided to take advantage of the nice weather by going for a walk. It was a lovely day and we really enjoyed ourselves. On our way back home, we passed by a tree that my daughter, her older brother, and I had picnicked under during the springtime. My daughter was upset to realize that the once beautiful tree was now bare. There wasn’t a leaf anywhere in sight on that tree.
Smiling at her dismay, I told her not to worry because the tree would once again be beautiful come spring. I explained to her that the leaves would once more grow again, making the tree as beautiful as it had ever been. I also assured her that yes; we would once again be able to picnic under its shade again come spring. She was happy with my explanations and we were able to continue our journey home.
I guess the older we get, we sometimes take for granted the cycle of the seasons that we live through and it takes the eyes of a child to remind us of its wonder. Seasons come and seasons go, and too often we forget to take the time to appreciate each season for its unique beauty. Right now, we are in the midst of winter and there isn’t a lot of beauty to appreciate. I must admit autumn is my favorite season; it’s such a beautiful time of year. Spring is my second favorite time of year. It is so beautiful to watch the earth come to life again.
Summer is lovely but often too hot for my taste. However, summertime does bring barbecues with friends, swimming, and other times to relax and have fun. Winter usually isn’t the prettiest time of year. The earth seems so bare without the green grass, beautiful leaves, and flowers to brighten things up. But winter does have some advantages…Christmas and snow. Now I don’t like lots of snow, but I love to see some every now and then. It is so beautiful and it makes everything look so pure when covered in a blanket of white.
If you look hard enough, you will find something beautiful in every season. It occurs to me that life is the same way. We go through many different seasons in our life. Some of them are glorious, like springtime in full bloom. Others are like summer, hot and dry like a desert. We wonder just how we’ll make it through. Then comes autumn and we can breathe again. Life explodes with beautiful colors and we are amazed at the life we have been blessed with.
Unfortunately, we sometimes have to go through winter. Life is cold, bare, and death has stolen the color from our life. I think this is one of the hardest seasons we face. It’s hard to face death…the death of a dream, the death of a relationship, or the death of a loved one. Our hearts ache and we long for relief. Thankfully, like all seasons, this one doesn’t last forever.
Dear heart, spring always follows winter. Winter cannot last forever. Slowly, ever so slowly, life begins again. One by one, little by little, signs of life peek out from the barren earth. Before long, flowers bloom again and birds sing their sweet song. We breathe in the fresh spring air and we are refreshed. We realize that life has not ended; we can hope again.
For the believer, no matter what season we find ourselves facing, we do not face it alone. “Fear not, for I am with you, I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10. I find it very comforting to know that I have a Companion that is ever at my side and I will never walk through any season of life alone. He will always be there to help me and guide me through every season I face. And sometimes, when I need Him to, He will carry me when I cannot walk on my own. What a blessing to have a Father like Him!
Katrina Douglas
