happy fall

There is something special about the seasons
Spring Summer Fall Winter
A few weeks back I was dreading the end of summer
It's just that so much changes (weather, I go back to work, etc)
But as soon as the leaves turn I remember that Autumn is amazing
In Illinois it rains a lot
But there is a special type of rain particular to the spring and fall
The spring rain is when the wind blows the white blossoms from the trees
It's beautiful and peaceful even
The fall rain is when the multi colored leaves are released by the gentle breeze
And dance their way to the ground
If you live in a place with only evergreens I feel sorry for you
Winter is my least favorite season
But I am still able to recognize the beauty of snow and ice
And how they transform the landscape
But each season is necessary
So as I'm looking out my window
In awe of God's paintbrush
My mind shifts to the seasons of our lives
There's building and planting seasons and reaping and gathering seasons
But each season comes in time
If we didn't have winter the balance would be thrown off
So the next time difficulty arises or it's time for a change
Recognize that it just the changing of the seasons
We have no guarantee that will evade all trouble
But we do know that God is with us.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To everything there is a season,
      A time for every purpose under heaven:
      A time to be born, And a time to die;
      A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;
      A time to kill, And a time to heal;
      A time to break down, And a time to build up;
      A time to weep, And a time to laugh;
      A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
      A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;
      A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
      A time to gain, And a time to lose; 
      A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
      A time to tear, And a time to sew;
      A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;
      A time to love, And a time to hate;
      A time of war, And a time of peace.