Seasons

Watching the seasons change is amazing. After spending twelve years on the Texas coast (where there are two seasons—summer and February), I was so thankful to move to Oklahoma in 2019 and have a chance to experience real seasons again. Sure, I have my favorites and least favorites, but there are things I love about each one: watching the world come to life again in spring, the long days of summer, the stunning colors and crisp days of fall, and the slower pace of winter.

Life has seasons, too. Some are hard and seem like they’ll never end. Some are wonderful and seem to be gone in the blink of an eye. Some are confusing and full of changes. But one thing is true about any season—it doesn’t last forever. Seasons pass, which means we always need to be preparing for the next one. When we’re in a good season, we can’t slack off on our time with God. A hard season will come sooner or later, and we need to be ready to face it. During a hard season, we can’t give up clinging to hope, because one day the seasons will change and good will come again.

During our almost 22 years of marriage, my husband and I have been through a lot of seasons. We’re in a strange, new season of our lives now. Our boys aren’t kids anymore. Our oldest is about to turn twenty, and our youngest will graduate from high school in May. In no time, they will be gone, starting their independent lives. Our nest will be empty. Seeing this new season on the horizon brings a lot of mixed emotions. It’s sad, exciting, and terrifying to watch your kids become adults and start making their own lives. But one thing hasn’t changed—we’ll get through this season with God.

I’m thankful that in a world where change is the only constant, I serve the unchanging God. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Life will change, sometimes for good, and sometimes for bad. But Jesus never changes, and He will help me navigate each season of life.