Although astronomical fall will not arrive until later this month, September 1st is the beginning of meteorological fall. While some may go kicking into this change of season, for others it fits. Labor Day weekend is considered the end of summer, kids are returning to school; and although the temps can certainly rise during the day, morning temps are mild with a hint of a cool breeze.
I find myself in-between the summer enthusiasts, and those that enjoy the change of season by prepping for winter sports to come.
My favorite season is fall; cooling temperatures, chats around a fire, cozy sweaters. Like for many others, it is the knowledge of the approaching winter that makes fall difficult to embrace.
One of my favorite things about fall are the vivid blue September skies. I have learned the lower angle of the sun and the drier air are the reason we see richer blues in the fall and winter months.
If the skies continue to be a richer blue throughout the fall and winter, why is it many notice the change more in September? Maybe because it is a new look, and that combined with the new season makes us take notice? Once it is no longer new, we tend to appreciate it less. Sad.
God gave us seasons not only weather-wise (Genesis 1:14), but through our lives. King Solomon observed this as he poured out his troubled heart in Ecclesiastes.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NLT:
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.”
I understand his laments. I have seasonal depression. The irony is, it usually hits me in late July/early August. I start to mourn summer before it is over, and regret things not done when there is still time to do them. Makes no sense to me either; but those who suffer the same illness will understand. This year I was particularly frustrated about how I had, once again, put my writing on hold due to difficult life circumstances. I turned to God in my pain and He in turn gave me a full night of NOT sleeping.
It was the best night in a long time. Yes, you read that right. I spent the whole night wrestling with aches and pains, regrets, and frustration – all the while talking to my Heavenly Father.
When I finally did sleep, not until after 7am, I woke up with a new outlook. I started by taking a two-week “commitment break.” Something I think I will do on a regular basis. I am now writing again, with the goal of my next book coming out in mid-October.
How long will this season last? Only God knows. I pray nothing major happens that would keep me from reaching out to others with the word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I now know, however, if the season of my life changes again; I have the truth found in the verses just following King Solomon’s seasonal words:
Ecclesiastes 3:10-11a NLT:
“I have seen the burden God has placed on us all.
Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time.
He has planted eternity in the human heart…”
Eternity! Makes a season here seem insignificant. While I will try to appreciate all the seasons to come in this earthly life, I will also look forward to the adventures in my “forever” season of eternal life with my Lord and Savior! I wonder what He will choose for the color of the sky?!
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