I wrote Seasons recently.  The changing of seasons has to be one of the more fascinating observations in life since it is visual evidence of transition. My grandson and I often have the discussion of which season we like best.  Where we reside, our seasons have definition without extremes.  The temperatures change as does the landscape.  He seems to gravitate towards summer with the warm temperatures, trips to the lake and his favorite thing, Gamma K-Pa camps, simple overnights with my husband and I.  It’s interesting, when school begins and the days grows shorter, his perspective changes and he longs for snow.  Suddenly, his favorite season becomes winter!  The colder months are wrapped in hopes of snowfall, the holidays and his birthday.  The progression continues as the months pass.

I can’t say that I have one favorite season.  The summer brings warmth and hours to play outside.  Fall adds vibrant colors to the landscape.  The crisp leaves quickly cover the trails with gentle winds.   Their pleasant crunching with each step is an invitation to kick a few into the air.  Winter brings shorter days with an excuse to stay in more to dabble in creative projects.  It also brings back the opportunity to ride the snow with inner tubes and snowboards.  Spring inspires airing out both the house and my mindset.  As the trees bud and flowers bloom so do the plans for new projects.

Seasons come to us in manageable transitions.  We know the changes are coming.  Knowing allows us to anticipate what’s next.  There are progressive life transitions – the newborn baby, the graduation, a promotion, a new home, a career change.  These planned changes bring joy. Life’s intentional transitions, like the seasons, bring freshness and expectancy. 

Sometimes transitions are harsh interjections especially when they come unexpectedly with the loss of a loved one, a shocking health diagnosis, or an abrupt end to a relationship.  We can quickly be tossed into an unanticipated change.  Our predictable world becomes suddenly chaotic.  Finding a new rhythm of living, transitions us into unfamiliar patterns.  Even the simple tasks become awkward as we force ourselves to embrace the change.  Transition brings reliance on something greater than ourselves.

Whatever reasons we face transitions, we need to hold onto knowing God never gives us more than we can handle.  It sounds illogical.  It is.  It is miraculous.  We weather difficulties.   Our hearts ache with loss.  We battle fear, loneliness, depression, illness – all overwhelming.  Out of the darkest places, God brings light.  As our personal world shatters, His light shines through the cracks into the darkest depths. We can’t see where He is leading us, but hanging onto faith is hanging onto His hand and He will pull you through.  I know this from personal experience and in seeing others find hope through His unchanging love and restorative grace.  

Transitions are inevitable.  How do you want to navigate changes ahead – alone or with an unwavering faith and an eternal friend?