Seasons Are Changing

​“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.”
-Ecclesiastes 3:1
 
Don’t you love it when the seasons change? I sure do, especially when the Texas summer gives way to fall or fall to winter. Personally, I love the fall and winter in Texas so it’s very exciting for me when the first round of cold weather comes through, signifying the beginning of fall. The beauty of a new season is the promise of a new landscape, a new atmosphere, and new possibilities.
 
Often, the excitement of a new season begins to dim over time. Typically there comes a time in summer when the initial excitement from continual sunshine and heat decreases. Likewise, there comes a time in winter when the enthusiasm from the allure of colder temperatures and upcoming holidays in December lessens. The initial winter weather bliss can easily become the fatigue from experiencing constant freezing temperatures, shoveling snow, and scraping ice off cars in January.
 
You see, each season of life bring joys and challenges. This is true of weather but also of the seasons of our lives. There is beauty but also adversity in the changing colors of the leaves in fall, in the newly fallen snow in winter, or in the blooming flowers of spring. When seasons change, so much changes for better or for worse.
 
In my own life, I’ve seen so many seasons. There was a season of being a pre-dental student then a season of being a dental student. The latter season will soon transition into a season of working as a new dentist, bringing with it all the joys and challenges of this new phase. There was a season of living with my family then a season of independence. There was a season of singleness then a season of dating and now a season of married life. Among other things, there have been seasons of unemployment, then employment, not knowing Jesus, then coming to faith, not believing in myself, then developing self confidence. The list goes on and on. Seasons always change.
 
If seasons are always changing, then how can we make the most of each season? As cliché as it sounds, I believe that every day is a gift. Every day really is an opportunity to be thankful, to learn, to grow, and to experience joy in the present. The problem with us as humans is that we’re always looking forward to the next season or back at the previous one, when in reality there is beauty in each and every season.  There is always so much to be thankful for. There are always opportunities for growth. There are always ways to find contentment regardless of the season.

---

As the seasons change, we can choose to be content regardless the difficulties that come along. For example, many people who are single stress over how they will find their future husband or wife. They can spend substantial amounts of time wondering when they will be married and idolizing what it would be like to be married. Then when they finally find their future spouse and enter a season of dating, they worry about marriage instead of enjoying their new relationship. This is just one example of why appreciating each and every season is so very important. There are blessings in each season as well as opportunities for growth, happiness, new experiences, and blessings.
 
In the same way, almost every student spends time and energy counting down until graduation. All those days of hard work will one day culminate in a degree, which many idolize. But once you walk across the stage and get that piece of paper, real life begins. This begins a season of obtaining a real salary but also a season of experiencing real challenges in a working environment. Yet another season begins.
 
There is indeed a purpose for every season under heaven. Let us approach life with thankfulness and joy in every season, recognizing that God is working regardless of the season. Soon autumn will end and winter will begin, but for now, let’s enjoy the yellow and orange foliage of fall.
 
<3 Beryl

---