A few weeks ago, I was really in a funk. My husband asked what was wrong and I simply couldn’t answer. “For some reason, I just feel a little blue. Maybe it’s because I’m feeling the autumn.”
“Feeling the what?” he asked.
“The autumn. You know, how when you were a kid enjoying summer and all of a sudden you sensed autumn in the air? You knew school was about to start again and it was a little depressing. So, I guess I’m just feeling the autumn again.”
Feeling the autumn. It’s in my bones. It’s in my muscles and joints. It’s in my head. Aches, pains, forgetfullness, the inability to do the things I used to do. Grown children, a little grandson, aging parents. Yes, the autumn season of life has come. And it’s a love/hate relationship!
Over all the bodily pain and slowing down is the joy of seeing my children growing up into adults (finally!) and getting their lives on track. There’s the most precious smile of a grandson who’s always so glad to see his “Maaaaaa” (his version of M’Lew which is short for Mama Lewis). And there’s my precious husband, growing grey at the temples yet wearing it well. Yes, autumn has its joys and, I must testify, they are far above the season’s pains.
But that’s true about every season in life, isn’t it? If we could only learn to seek out the joys in each season and focus on them instead of the trials they bring. How much sweeter, simpler, and sacred life would be.
No matter what season you are in, dear reader, take it from a woman feeling the autumn of life: slow down and look up. Focus — daily focus — on Christ and all His blessings. And the trials, which will always be a part of any age, will fade in the brilliance of His glory and grace.
To everything there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which 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 together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, 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
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
PS: It’s been almost a year since I’ve posted anything on my blog. And what a year it has been. Many painful times and stressful times, but many beautiful times as well. But now it’s time to get back up and reconnect again!