Changing With The Seasons

Welcome to the “ber” months, a.k.a. the best time of year! With Labor Day here and gone, us certified fall addicts can officially break out our decorations, recipes, movies, and comfy clothes without judgment. But there is more than just the changing of decorations and leaves in our new season. 

The changing of seasons is the perfect time for you to reflect on the previous one. When looking at life as a series of seasons, it is helpful to take the time to learn from the season we are leaving. No season is the same, it may resemble one we’ve been through before, but it won’t be the same experience. Think of it like winter, one year you can have no snow fall and the next you have several big snow storms: both were winter seasons, but each season was a unique experience.    

Now, I know there is a difference between typical season changes and seasons of life. In fact, over the last several years, I feel as though I’ve been hurtled through at least 10 different seasons myself. However, this makes for the perfect time to evaluate where you are in your seasons. 

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon writes in a way that reflects on a lived life. As the reader, we are to take this advice of how to live on Earth. He writes in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 

a time to be born, and a time to die; 

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;  

a time to kill, and a time to heal; 

a time to break down, and a time to build up; 

a time to weep, and a time to laugh; 

a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 

a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; 

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 

a time to seek, and a time to be lost; 

a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 

a time to tear, and a time to sew; 

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 

a time to love, and a time to hate; 

a time for war, and a time for peace.” 

I couldn’t help but note that these pairings are emotions and experiences we each have or will experience. Solomon expresses that these are all seasons to be experienced on earth. As he continues in chapter 3, he explains that these matters are all in God’s timing, “He has made everything beautiful in its time” Ecc. 3:11. It is not up to us as humans to make our seasons beautiful. We must trust that in God’s timing he will do so. In that timing, we are to rejoice in our work. 

We are given the gift of life, but often forget to trust in the one who gave it to us. In our changing seasons, we have to trust that it is part of his plan. Some seasons will test us more than others, which is why reflecting on them is so important. In the trials we encounter, there is so much to learn. They help us grow into better, stronger people. Acknowledging your growth is a celebration you should invest in seasonally. 

Personally, I have been moving through one of the most trying seasons of my young life. Having lost two of the most important people in my life within the last year, I am learning how to walk this earth without them. A time to mourn, and a time to dance. What people don’t often share about the mountain named Grief is that it’s not a straight slope up or an easy path down. There are hills and valleys on the journey, and you never know what’s coming next. One day the grief feels so heavy that it’s hard to move, and the next day you could feel light and joyful. One morning you’ll be laughing with friends but crying come the evening. A time to weep, and a time to laugh. 

As we enter the fall, I can’t help but sit and reflect on the year that has passed. I think about all that has changed in my life, everything I’ve accomplished, the new found passions I had, the bad habits that have faded away, and can’t help but feel grateful. I’ve experienced more loss and grief than I ever thought possible, and yet I feel grateful. Throughout this year, I have put my trust in the Lord. I have looked at life with the mind of a student: I want to learn from and appreciate my trials. 

So with the changing of the season, I encourage you to take the time to reflect on how life has changed. Whether it be over the last month, the summer, or the past year, value the experiences you’ve had and celebrate the growth you’ve made. This isn’t always an easy task, but with time and diligence, you’ll begin to appreciate the seasons you experience.