Fall is here.  The air smells like autumn. The falling leaves crunch beneath feet. Crisp morning air prancing on bare skin. Candles burn, the aroma of spices. On the tongue dances that first bite of pumpkin. Awww…Yes, autumn is here!

It seems over the last few weeks the anticipation for fall was on the rise. Excitement. Hearts ready to say good-bye to summer and hello pumpkin donuts.

Seasons are fascinating whether in nature or in our very lives. Seasons. Come and go.

Merriam-Webster describes season: a time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature. What season are you in? What circumstances are characterizing  your season? Maybe a career, having children, watching children grow and leave the house, quiet, wild. Seasons. Buds and blossoms, vibrant colors, falling leaves, and pure white snow.

What season are you in? Do you feel lost, alone, disappointed? Are you wishing the next season to rush in and save you? If only I could find that man. If only we could get pregnant. If only the kids could get a little older, be less dependent. If only my grown children would come visit.

As if life was not in fast forward. As if our time on earth was not a vapor. We sit in a season anticipating the next. Wishing, hoping, dreaming. Those things aren’t bad however what of the season you are in, the now? What of the faces that are right in front of you? Are they not precious, now? Are they not worth of your attention, affections, now? Will they be present when summer is over and fall surrounds?

Take a moment to reflect….what does God have for me in this season? What can we learn now, right here in this season? Just as we all have preferences about natural seasons we have them about our life seasons too. All though we may not enjoy winter we know it comes every year and we must make the most of it.

Lately, as the days feel long I have been reminded by wise mothers that the years fly while the days crawl. I don’t want to miss the gift, the journey God has for me as a parent. I don’t want to blink and realize I spent the season wishing for different days.

Let’s look beyond the circumstances. Let’s see the beauty, the joy in the season we are in. If it is challenging let’s ask God. Ask Him to open our hearts to the now, present. And let’s open, open the gift wide and enjoy it now…this season is now.

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: NKJV

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. NLT

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. ESV

James 4:14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. ESV