It’s that time of year when the last remnants of summer are fading away. The nights are getting colder, and the mornings are getting darker. The crunchy leaves are starting to appear on the ground. I find it so satisfying to jump on them and hear them crunch beneath my shoes. I am starting to wonder how many more days I can get away with leaving the house without bringing a jacket when I come to school. In my family I have the responsibility of going through winter clothes to figure out which ones need to be replaced and which ones have been grown out of since last winter.
One of the things I look forward to at this time of year is that my kids have wrapped up swimming lessons for the season. I love seeing my girls grow and learn this important life skill but at the same time I also love that my weekly schedule is a little freer and more flexible. One less thing to do, one less appointment to make, one less thing to plan, prepare, pack and pay for.
Changing seasons can be bittersweet. Sometimes the change of seasons can bring discomfort like darkness, cold and pants that don’t fit like they did last year. Sometimes it can bring needed slowness, a change of pace or rediscovering something put away in the wardrobe that you forgot you love.
The Bible tells us that there is a season for everything: dancing and mourning, planting and harvesting, war and peace, silence and speaking, crying and laughter (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). Whatever you are facing in this current season I hope you find strength, courage and surprising joy. I hope you know there is a God who sees you and will bring new seasons into your life. I hope you know God’s goodness and love never ends even through the changing circumstances of life and the things we cannot change.
Pr Bethany Chapman
Chaplain
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