Seasons Change

Fall is my favorite time of year!
It’s actually the only season of the year that I wish would last longer! I think it may be the crispness that is in the air that rejuvenates, and the abundance of fresh vegetables, and apples available. A few years ago during the fall, my sister and I canned some vegetables from our parent’s garden together, and I fell in love with the process. I now try to can seasonal fruits and vegetables when I am able.

I am currently living with a friend who puts my canning and preserving skills to shame! Each week, it seems there is a new fruit or vegetable that she is drying, making into soups to freeze, or canning. Other vegetables that don’t preserve well, are used as they are harvested so none are wasted. I am learning so much about everything that relates to this from her, and it’s been a joy and pleasure!

On Sunday at church, my pastor talked about entering into new seasons and shifting our mindsets and thinking. This reminded me of how my friend is shifting to a new season. Over the summer, she had planted her garden, weeded, cared for, protected, and watered it. It flourished under her care, providing her with a multitude of fresh vegetables and greens for nourishment. Now that summer is over and the last of the vegetables have been harvested, it’s time to prepare for the winter. As a gardener, she understands that some of the plants she cared for so intentionally this summer will die and that she will have to replace them with new, and maybe different plants in the spring. She also knows which plants will replicate themselves and grow again in the spring.

I think there is wisdom in this process that applies to all of us, gardeners or not. As we enter into new seasons of life, work, ministry, family, or church, do we know how to transition into the new season? What fruits of the previous season does God want us to preserve that will bring us nourishment in the next season? What areas of growth have provided us with nourishment during this season that God is now telling us to let go of to make room for new growth in a future season? And, what areas of growth and revelation will replicate themselves and grow again in the new season?

There is also something about the old falling away to make room for a season of rest that prepares for new growth. Without the Fall, there would be no Spring because the trees and plants would be holding onto what had grown the year before, and there would be no room for new growth.
​
As leaders, whether supervisors, parents, friends, or mentors, we need to be aware of the seasons we are in, and the seasons we are entering. We need wisdom that comes from hearing God and listening to His direction regarding those seasons. We need His direction as we transition into new seasons, so we are able to lay down, or preserve things in a previous season to take into the new season.

Katy

Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.