Changing Seasons, Constant Blessings
by Lt. Colonel Margaret Davis
I absolutely love autumn. As soon as the leaves begin to change and the temperatures drop, my mind goes back to fourth grade and Takoma Park Elementary School in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Our family had just moved to a new neighborhood, and I was attending a new school. To this day I vividly remember walking home after school with my new friend, Etty. She was from Indonesia. As we walked home with the leaves falling all around us, wearing our cozy and brightly colored fall sweaters, we talked about the books we were reading and how they delighted us. How I loved our walks home in the brisk autumn air and our conversations—both gave me great joy. I looked forward to ending each day this way with my friend.
I was experiencing a new season in my young life. A new home, a new neighborhood, a new school, new friends, and many new books. As was to be expected, I approached all this newness with nervousness and a bit of fear, but it turned out that in this new season there was beauty and blessing. Etty and I became friends almost immediately and formed a sweet bond that eased me into my new school and provided the foundation for me to flourish in my new surroundings.
Decades later I am now experiencing a new season in my life with a new appointment and a new home in a new town. This new season, however, is in reality a homecoming as I have been reacquainted with old friends and have had the opportunity to revisit many familiar places from my past appointments in the New York area. The expected nervous energy and moments of anxiety that come along with a move and a new job have been tempered by the comfort of familiar faces and places—a beautiful blessing during this period of transition.
Added to this is the fact that our older daughter got married this summer, and we have welcomed a fine new son-in-law for whom my husband and I give God thanks. We look forward to bonding with him in this new season for our family. Just being with newlyweds is a beautiful blessing.
As in nature, the seasons of life bring many changes. Sometimes those changes are lovely and sometimes they are difficult. The simple beauty of freshly fallen snow in winter contrasts with harsh blizzards and winter storms. The glorious warmth of the summer sun contrasts with oppressive heat waves that sometimes occur at the height of that season. You get the picture. Yet, I have consistently seen that within the challenges of life, blessings and beauty can be found.
An internet meme proclaimed a profound truth to me very recently: “In every season, He is faithful.” And God’s word tells us, “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23, NLT).
The cool autumn breezes and the gorgeous fall foliage remind me daily of God’s faithfulness, which has brought beauty and blessing to me in every season of life. I hope this truth will also resonate in your heart today and every day.