Changing Seasons

I love it when seasons change. It is one of those things I like about living where I grew up and where I live now..distinct season changes. I'll admit Memphis never had much of a "white" winter, but we occasionally saw snow & all of the other seasons were definitely hallmarked by the tell-tale signs of spring, summer, and fall. September is the month that heralds in the glorious fall season. It is still a few weeks yet until the official first day of fall, but today could have fooled me. I get really excited when the weather starts to cool down and the air feels/smells crisp. I love all the rich colors of fall, the food (caramel apples!), the holidays, oh yeah and there's that little thing of my birthday ;).  I feel it is a "cushion" season...it prepares us with the cooler weather and the leaves falling from the trees for the cold weather and bare tree limbs of winter.  In a way, I see the season of life I am in now as a "cushion" season. I haven't found a job yet so I have been able to work on things that I haven't had the time or opportunity to do in a while, such as spending time with my family, cooking, baking, deep cleaning, writing, reading, soul searching....It is a blessing. However, with this season I am aware that a harder, colder season will follow it. That is just how life is. I have heard it described as a "roller coaster", but to me that just gives this worldly life too much credit, as if I am just on a ride with no control of where it goes or how I handle it. I am not so egotistical as to think I can control everything...but I do know the One who controls it and He gives me the peace and strength to hang on in whatever season I am in. For now, I will just enjoy the season of life at hand and prepare for the one that will follow. Thankfully, there is one thing that will NEVER change in any season & that is the security of the grace He gave to me.