Accepting The Changing Seasons

We are currently experiencing the last real days of summer, according to the weatherman, and the calendar.

For me summer is actually 80° so the 70° days aren’t as warm as I like, but they are nice.

I had kind of resentfully began accepting that fall is coming. That summer is over. The warm weather is gone. And the rains will come.

I decided to spend the last days of summer in the sun as much as I could. Early in the morning the days are foggy or just cloudy, but once the sun shines through, I find my way outside in the sun.

I’ve played with the dogs and watched the birds eat from the almost empty bird feeder. I watched the dogs chase the birds out of the yard and away from the birdseed that was on the ground. Just whatever I could do to enjoy the days.

Watching the season change from spring and summer to fall and winter is always a hard one for me.

Much like the changing seasons in our own lives the change comes slowly most of the time. It happens before we know it. All of a sudden we realize that things are different.

And as the weather changes I’m reminded that I need to find beauty and grace in everything.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A Time for Everything

 

Recent Changes

In the changing seasons, and the changes in my household with my daughter going off to college. Her room now empty and void of her presence.

The changes in my mother’s life that I spoke about last week in my blog post, Caring For An Aging Parent. I also need to find beauty and grace in those things as well.

It isn’t always easy, but it is necessary. Like many people it’s easy for me to allow the negative things in my life to penetrate my heart and mind. But I learned as a young adult, that I am in control of my own outlook on life.

I can either sit around and mope about the changing seasons, the falling leaves and the rain. I can whine and complain about being cold and wet. I can vent to my husband, regarding the changes in my mother that I now have to deal with day after day.

Or, I can seek to find the good in the changing season. I can look at the colors of fall and find beauty in them. I can use these experiences and challenges to grow in grace and patience.

Remembering that in order for the flowers and the trees to grow again, they must die or hibernate over the winter. Much like living our lives for Christ.

Knowing that come spring time there will be fresh new blossoms and beautiful color bursting forth. I find hope in that. Hope in new life. Hope in Jesus. I know I must die to myself in order form Him to reign in me.

Which helps me to look at the changing seasons with my mom, and have hope as well.

To wake up in the morning with a renewed sense of patience, peace and joy anyway. Feeling grateful that I have this time and opportunity to love her and care for her.

Hebrews 6:19

¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

Final Musings

I am grateful there is always HOPE.  I praise the Lord every day for His Hope and Peace.  I ask Him for Joy anyway.  So with these changes, that inevitably come each year, I praise Him for them.  Looking forward and not backward.  Keeping my heart and mind on Him and keeping my attitude positive.

I read a blog post the other day that explained at the end the reason for keeping our attitudes positive.  I’d like to share it with you.  It’s written by a friend of mine.  Kathleen M. Peters.  It’s short and sweet.  I hope you’ll check it out.

Do you struggle with he changing of the seasons?  What’s your favorite?  How do you adjust into the new season?

Happy Fall Y’all (Almost)
♥Sabrina