Seasons of Change

This time of year, is especially glorious as the trees start to turn majestic shades of yellow, orange and red. It is such a peaceful time of admiring all the beauty that God has blessed us with. Here in Arkansas, we have the privilege of being able to enjoy all four seasons to the fullest. Four seasons that have very distinct differences. Autumn is a winding down of sorts, leaves falling from the trees, the wind gently bringing coolness to the air, as nature whispers its last goodbye to summer.

Nature has always been a part of my life. My dad is an avid fisherman, hunter and in earlier years he enjoyed trapping as well. I grew up eating all kinds of wild game. I remember dad telling me the story of when he was a little boy an older gentleman took him fishing for the first time, after that he was “hooked”. That was the beginning of his love of nature. He has spent a lifetime enjoying the bounty of the land. I wonder how many hours he has spent in a tree stand or casting a reel? God has given him the desires of his heart and he has enjoyed them fully.

The very foundation of my faith began as a small child going to church. I have one very intense memory of my dad in church and that is him standing before the congregation preparing to pass out communion. Why that particular memory stands out for me, I don’t know but what I do know is that if my parents had not taken me to church as a small child, I would not have had the foundation for which my faith is built today. We all start somewhere, there is a beginning and an end to everything under heaven. Just as that man invested in my dad and just as my parents invested in me, we have a responsibility to share with the next generation so that they too can have fullness of life because we are not promised tomorrow.  We will witness many seasons in our lifetime. Seasons come and go, but one day we will witness our last. As a believer and follower of Jesus, I live with expectancy that when I reach heaven, there will be no more seasons, there will only be complete peace and beauty. But for now, I will continue enjoying each season of life, loving the Lord and sharing with others the love of Jesus.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.