I went to a park today for lunch and noticed some trees that were pretty barren. All there was were mostly empty branches with a few brown leaves on them. Here in Florida, Fall doesn't grace us with the beautiful and vibrant colors it shows off to our friends in northern states. I recently went up to Michigan and was able to see the start of fall there. I absolutely love fall. I love the chill in the air and I love the red, yellow, and orange leaves that follow Fall wherever it chooses to go. But I admit there is something depressing that follows Fall and that is winter. The empty trees, dreary skies, and bitter cold air make my mood take a nose dive. I sat at lunch and was thinking about my life and the seasons I go through. Sometimes I complain about the dry, hot seasons because I am weary and longing for God's Presence to be real to me much like I would long for refreshing water in the dead of summer when you can't find relief from the heat. Other times I complain about the darkness when I am discouraged or just walking through a dark time of life. My heart is sad and there is an oppressive blanket covering me just like the gray clouds cover the sun and block the light and warmth from beating down on me. I find myself anxiously waiting for spring to come because I want the newness it brings. I want the new growth, I want the warmer air, I want the flowers and trees to be alive again. And in my heart I want to feel alive. A big difference between the seasons our planet goes through and the season my heart goes through is that I can look on my calendar and know when summer ends and fall begins. I can look at the weather report and plan how to dress. In my life, I can't do this. I can't plug my zipcode in and get a report of what the next ten days are going to be like. What I can do is trust my God and trust that He knows. He knows my life and He knows what is in my next day and what is around the corner. My seasons don't run parallel to winter, spring, summer, and fall. They come and go. Sometimes abruptly without warning. Sometimes they last way too long and sometimes they don't last long enough. Sometimes I feel like I am out in the heat longer than I want to be and the next thing I know I am right in the middle of one of the most refreshing times I have ever experienced. Like my heart gets to go on vacation. I wake up in the morning with 94 degree heat, jump on a plane and land where is it 45 degrees cooler. Instant joy. Instant relief. Instant pleasure. I don't have to wait for weeks and months. But in those seasons where the heat and humidity drain me, I have to remember those refreshing times will come. When I look at the empty trees I have to remind myself that they will be alive with green leaves again. When I feel like I can't take another day of this heat, or another day of this darkness, or another day of the cold, I need to hide away with God. He will be what I need. He will bring relief. It is all in His timing. There is a season for everything under Heaven.
Isaiah 30:15 -- Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me.
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