A season of change
As a southern girl, I love snow, but we’ve not been blessed with snow this year–until this morning! After weeks of warm weather and an abundance of glorious blossoms announcing Spring, we’re again experiencing a season of change.
A surprise snowfall this morning dusted my spring flowers with feathery flakes as winter proclaimed, “I’m not done yet!”
A season of change
We experience seasons of change in other ways as well–not just with weather surprises. These may be:
- A sudden change in our health or the well-being of a loved one.
- The joining of two lives through marriage.
- A marriage crisis or divorce.
- The blessing of new life–a new baby in the family.
- An empty nest when our children leave home.
- Joy in the freedom retirement can bring.
- The loss of a loved one.
Seasons of change can be happy or sad
The list above includes happy, joyful events and those which bring sorrow and grief. Life is a combination of both, isn’t it? And I’m sure you could add other life experiences to the list–occurrences that bring a season of change–pain or happiness and all emotions in-between.
What results from a season of change?
Living on the mountain top of joy or in the valley of sorrow both present challenges. Even more stressful is climbing the mountain and toppling down into the valley and repeating the process over and over. Of course it’s wonderful to have those mountain top seasons and difficult to plunge in the valley, but life involves both.
How do we deal with difficult changes of seasons?
Depend on the strong foundation
Our Father is our guide who supports us as we traverse back and forth in changes of seasons and are engulfed by storms of life.
“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” (Psalm 91:14-15)
Our Father provides protection in times of challenge and promises deliverance from the storm.
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7)
When has our Father rescued you from the valley? Protected you from complacence and pride when on the mountain top? What life lessons have you learned to help you traverse between the mountain and the valley?
This morning’s snow brought beauty to my day, but caused no hardship, melting away quickly so I could drive to church. Joy and blessings!
Wishing you joy in the journey, by friends.
A wonderful book to help support us during the pain of those heartbreaking seasons of change is Destination Hope by Marilyn Nutter and April White.
Your post serves to remind me of two foundational truths in my life today Ms. Katherine. One is that all change is not bad, it’s how we handle it that can be. Second, is recognizing that God often uses those “changes” in our lives to grow us. When we see them in this light, they’re much easier for me to handle them. God’s blessings ma’am, and thank you so much for the many ways your words bless me.
Thank you, my friend. Yes, I agree that God uses those tough changes to help us grow–and He prunes us too! I’ve needed a lot of pruning along the way. We are so blessed that God loves us enough to shape us into the people He knows we can become. Thank you for the wonderful role model you are for others–living in such a way that you share the light and love of Jesus with so many. Wishing blessings for the Cross-Dubya family.
I’m so thankful for God’s guidance through every season of change. Blessings on your outreach, Katherine.
Like you, Diana, I am thankful for the blessings of love and guidance our Father showers upon us. Wishing you a great week–with lots of sunshine.
I shared on LinkedIn, FB, and Twitter. I always enjoy your insights. Change, like death, is one of the items everyone faces and learned to deal with. Love your writing.
Thank you for your kindness and encouragement, Jimmie. Change is a certain occurrence in our lives. We learn and grow from it, and thankfully, God is always with us through the hard times. May God continue to bless you and your ministry, my friend.
I need to read this one again. It is a comforting post. Thank you.
I need to read it again, too, Sylvia! I catch myself falling into the valley and need the reassurance of God’s everlasting love and faithfulness. May our loving Father surround you with His arms of comfort.
Change is good. We tend to resist it for fear it will cost us something but I’ve benefited from those necessary intrusions when complacency sets in. Comforting thoughts, Katherine!
We need change to give us a boost sometimes, so we don’t become complacent. Our loving God is steadfast and we can depend on His constancy. Of course, we can also depend on Him sending change into our lives when we need it–ready or not! Thank you, Mary, for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
God has taught me I can trust Him during the peaks and valleys of life — especially the valleys. I need to turn to Him more during the peaks when I sometimes take “things” for granted.
Thank you for sharing this important point, Candyce. When times are good we drift along on the sea of complacency. I’m thankful our Father loves us at all times, both on the mountain and in the valley–and the times when He “cuts us down to size” when we’re taking “things” for granted. Wishing you sunshine and blessings!
When we experience God’s help and faithfulness in a tough time, it builds our confidence for the next one–our dear Lord will not fail us. Thanks for the good reminder the Rock we can rest on.
I’m so grateful for our “Rock”! I’m so glad you shared that important reminder, Wendy. God builds our faith through His trustworthiness. He is faithful, even when we fall short. Hope your week is blessed and filled with joy.
What a gentle reminder that change is often good and that God is there to help us navigate through it, even when it’s not so good.
I always enjoy your pictures, a delightful bonus in your posts.
You know me well, Connie. I love being out in nature and capturing its amazing beauty with my camera. I’m glad you enjoy the photos. Looking forward to seeing you at the Christian Expo on Saturday. Safe travels!
We’ve gotten a recent dusting as well. I love the beauty of snow and ice on bare tree branches. Enjoy this season. It won’t last long. Thanks, Katherine, and God bless!
There’s one constant about our weather–it’s changeable! I love snow, but the warmer weather we’ve had lately makes me yearn for spring. Thank you, Nancy, wishing you a blessed week.
We Southernes have missed our winter white ground covering this year! When signs of spring appear snow is unexpected and brings change to the new foliage. Changes in our life often changes the look of our exptectations but I trust God has things to teach us in the valley.
I agree, Lisa, our Father has much to teach us during those “valley” experiences. I think one reason God sends us into the valley is to remind us to seek Him. When times are good, we may drift into complacency and need a wake-up call. Thankfully, our Lord is faithful and trustworthy.
I was rather enjoying a new season of life when God sent me back to raising a teenager. I can identify with your flowers in the snow. Nevertheless, any change allowed by God is for my good. I love your encouragement from Scripture: “He will call on me and I will answer him.” Thanks, Katherine!
I agree, Annie, when God allows a change or sends us a new direction, it is for our good–although we don’t always realize it at the time. I’m so thankful that we have God’s Word to go to for encouragement and prayer to connect with Him at any time. We are blessed! Thank you for sharing your thoughts today.
We live far enough south we don’t experience much snow. But driving up to visit the grandkids, we got to drive some beautiful snow.
I’m so thankful that God is with me no matter the seasons. Thanks for the encouraging message.
I attended college in the mountains and we had lots of snow–I loved it. I expect I’d grow tired of it, especially this year, if living up north. But there’s something so peaceful and lovely about a gentle snowfall and the snow covered landscape looks so pure and beautiful. But now that we’re so close to Spring, I’d just as soon wait until next year for more snow. Aren’t we blessed that God is with us through every season of life?
I’m a southern girl too, Katherine, so I like the warm weather. Snow is pretty as long as it doesn’t last too long for me. But even the seasons I dont like are part of life and learning to navigate thru these is what makes us stronger. I do like the snowy flower pictures. Blessings my friend.
I think we feel the same way about winter weather, Barbara. You are right–all the seasons have their purpose and we are so blessed that our Lord is with us through all life’s changes. Blessings to you as well, my friend.
We are in the midst of many changing seasons. This post could not have come at a better time.
Thank you, Jen. Continuing to pray for your healing. I hope spring is coming soon to your home.