One of the things I love about the Midwest is the changing of the seasons. While I love summer with the gifts of vacation and lots of sunlight and swimming, the fall is a delight with all the beautiful colors. Winter brings beauty with snow and Christmas. Spring is full of new growth and Easter. There are delights and challenges in each season.

Did you know our spritiual seasons differ too? Author Susan Lawrence in her article Seasons of the Soul says,

"What season are you in right now - not physically, but spiritually? Sometimes our spiritual season doesn't match the season on our calendars.  And what's going on inside us is in tension with the outside that surrounds us.

We can try to simplify seasons: Spring is renewal. Summer is beauty. Fall is productivity. Winter is dreariness. Yet single words don't begin to portray the full scope of each season. Different parts of the world experience natural seasons in a variety of ways. Likewise, different people experience spiritual seasons in a variety of ways. How one person responds to a situation in a spiritual winter differs from another person's response to a similar situation. How one person celebrates during a spiritual summer differs from another's celebration. Fall productivity differs. Spring renewal differs."

She goes on to say, "Which season can you relate to right now?

Spring: Does your life feel as if it is renewing, just about to push through and bloom among the nourishing and sometimes drenching showers?

Summer: Does your life feel warm, full, and beautiful? Are you savoring the moments and memories, hoping they'll last as long as possible?

Fall: Does your life feel productive but also a bit exhausting? Can you see signs of beauty but also signs of loss? Is the sacrifice overwhelming at times?

Winter: Does your life feel dreary? Are you weary and a bit chilled? Do you long for a bright spot of warmth or light?

You might even be experiencing various seasons at the same time. Sometimes our family life feels as if it's in one season while work, ministry, health, or other areas reside in other seasons. Even our family experiences and relationships can feel divided among seasons."

I want to encourage you that no matter what season you are in, God is with you. The last year and a half have been quite challenging for many, if not all, of us. Some seasons of life are more enjoyable than others. Yet God uses all of the seasons of our lives. I know in my own life that seasons which were the hardest brought me the closest to Him. God can and will use every season of your life for your good and His glory!

No matter the season you are in today, I am praying for you; that you choose to see the beauty in the season you are in, you choose to be thankful right where you are, you choose to learn the lessons God teaches you, and you choose to trust in God no matter what.

In Christ's ministry together ~ Pastor Caryn