Seasons

This is a time of change:  the trees are coming into color, the days are cooler, the nights crisper, the birds circling and arcing in the sky.    I also see a change coming to our lives.  Grandchildren are growing up and my parents are growing older.   It could be a time of melancholy....but it is part of God's purpose. 

 This new season brings some burdens with it for our family.  My mom has some health issues right now and I would ask you for prayers for her.   Whenever there is a burden to bear I look at two scriptures.  The first is the one above, "And he changeth the times and the seasons:  he removeth kings, and setteth up kings:  he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:  He revealeth the deep and secret things:  he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him."  (Daniel 2:21-22)

The second scripture I seek is, "For I am the Lord, I change not."  (Malachai 3:6)   God has promised to love us, to strengthen us and bear our burdens.  He will give us wisdom if we ask and the grace to go through.

Whatever difficulty we are passing through,  it is only for a season. Time continues on and circumstances will change but God is unchanging.  When I look at the colors that are beginning to fringe the trees I see another season beginning - another gateway I will pass through holding on to the hand of the one who is the same yesterday, today and forever.

May our unchanging God bless you today!
Laura

Summer's End

This painting is titled "Summer's End."   I painted it when we were in Traverse City 2 summers ago the week after Labor Day.   The beaches were mostly empty, not many boats on the bay...it was the winding down of summer...the goodbye to the sweet warmth of sunshine and long days...and the coming of colder nights and shorter days.

The change in seasons is a reminder to me that our seasons of life change as well.  The trials and situations we face will change.   We will change as we grow in wisdom and mature in the Lord, as we survive hardship, raise children, care for ailing loved ones and accept death.

The constant is God.  He is the same yesterday, to day and forever (Hebrews 13:8).  God remains steadfast to move with us  through each day and each season each heartache and each joy.

And as seasons change we can begin anew, feeling a refreshing of possibilities.  Each day is a new beginning with the Lord (Lamentations 3:23).  When we draw close to Him he will lead us into the new season.  He will equip us with His Spirit of encouragement and comfort and love.

May you enter a new season of hope and joy today.
Laura