Seasons

"To everything there is a season, and a time

to every purpose in heaven."

Ecclesiastes 3:1

As the reds and yellows bleed into the green of an autumn leaf, 

the melding colors signify that a new season is approaching.  

Soon the leaf edges curl and brown becomes dominate. 

At just the right moment, the stem lets go of the branch 

and falls to the earth beneath.

It has served its purpose.

If your heart is particularly fond of summer, 

you might be tempted to be dismayed at the drastic change. 

The truth is, seasons are part of life- and a good thing.

We have seasons for baby talk, pureed food, and pacifiers. 

But when the gurgles give way to vocabulary,

we know that a new season has begun.

Each season in our life has value and purpose, 

even if we can no longer do what we once did.

Do not look at the pain in your body or a loss in your life with woe.

It may be a signal that the colors on the edges of your leaf are giving way to a new season.

And God may just have something even more incredible 

for you to accomplish just around the corner.

"For what is your life?

It is even a vapor that appears for a little time,

and then vanishes away."

James 4:14