Where I live the days are getting shorter and the air is getting crisp and cooler. As the leaves on the trees paint themselves into a myriad of beautiful colors before they fall to the ground, the birds, squirrels, and other animals outside are getting ready for winter.
There is something so beautiful about this time of year. The temperature is wonderful – you don’t get baked by the heat of the sun yet you only need to wear a light jacket to stay warm.
If you have never experienced the fall season, it is something you have to do. The smell of the fallen leaves is intoxicating.
To some people, the onset of fall only means that winter is not far away. They dread the long cold nights that lie ahead. The days are considerably shorter in the winter. In the winter we get about eight hours of light versus over fifteen hours of light in the summer.
While others do dread the coming months, I enjoy it. I love the change of seasons.
I love the first few snowfalls. When it starts snowing the clouds are heavy and thick. It is strange because on one hand the air is completely silent like the clouds have formed a blanket overhead that absorbs all sound. Sometimes it is so quiet that you can hear the snow falling on the ground. But on the other hand certain sounds seem to travel much further than they should. I usually can hear the horn of a train that passes more than five miles from the house. There is nothing like looking out of the window and seeing the landscape transformed with a covering of white that no one has yet touched.
It is during the winter season that I wait with the anticipation of a child on Christmas morning for the first warm day that will start to usher in the spring. I know a rebirth is coming.
It is with the same anticipation that I try to face every new day. Granted there are some days that the feeling of anticipation may not be as great as others but overall I do look forward to what each new day will bring.
There are some days that turn out better than others but even when a bad day or a few bad days come along, I know that eventually, just like the seasons change, the fortunes of the days will change and better days are sure to come.
I know that God is looking out for me no matter what is going on in my life. Even in some of the darkest times that I have been through, in the end, when I look back, I can see God’s hand directing me along a path that brings me out of the darkness and back to a new springtime with all of the rebirth that comes with it.
In Ecclesiastes 3, God has told us that there is a time for everything. Just as there are good times for us there are times that will be very difficult for us. Life, and everything that happens in our lives, is a cycle:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
God has also told us to put our trust in Him: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
So when you are in a period of your life that seems like the darkest, coldest days of winter, understand that going through these times is a normal part of life and that everyone goes through similar times – you are not being singled out. Put your trust in God that He will see you thought these times and help you find days that will bring with them the rebirth of a new springtime for your life.
If you think that a friend might like this article, please consider sharing it with them. Thanks for being part of The Whisper of God community. – Elmer Laydon
Oh, this has really touched my spirit. I, too, enjoy the Fall. I can hardly wait for the first signs of this season, for it reminds me of new beginnings. The long hot summer, followed by the cool, crisp, nights, football and all that goes with. I live in WV and the smell of wood burning in fireplaces is almost intoxicating to me. Then the nights get colder and nature draws a covering over the land, to protect herself from the elements. I know that after the harvest comes the new spring time and more wonderful new things. I am awakened to the beauty and awesomeness of the hand of God, during this time of year. Who else but God can take a green tree and paint it withe the colors of the rainbow to draw us into His greatness? who else but the great Master can bring softness in a winter frost to a barren land and make it appear safe, comforting. God is awesome and His handiwork declares His glory.
Wonderfully said Jeanie. Ahh yes, the smell of a wood fire…
I really love this message a lot because i have bipolar manic depression and during the winter time if there is hardly no sun and with it getting dark early it affects me more. I don’t really like winter that well i like fall spring and summer better. But i know God is always by my side watching over me day and night. And i really love this site as well and i also love the inspirations that is sent to my address every day as well.
Dios los Bendiga a todos, hermanos a sido de una gran bendicion haberme conectado con ustedes, nada sucede por casualidad, llevaba horas en el telefono hablando con una hermana sobre como el senor me estaba hablando por anticipado, me he reconciliado con el senor hace a penas unas 5 semanas, y se que este era mi tiempo, dia tras dia el senor me ha estado hablando, confirmado con la predicacion que he ido recibiendo en la Iglesia.Cuando he puesto el canal cristiano en la television he recibido confirmacion por parte de la palabra de Dios, esta noche he estado por horas en el telefono con esta hermana en Cristo y le comentaba a cerca de un testimonio que escuche de parte de un companero de trabajo y que me habia maravillado saber como el senor lo habia llevado a otra dimension, ella me contaba que despues de muchos anos de su vida cristiana tambien el senor le dijo que la iba a llevar a otra dimension y ella le pidio al senor que le confirmara y como fue esa confirmacion contestada en 15 minutos mediante otra persona. Hablando con ella por telefono de muchos temas diferentes y contandole de mis experiencias diarias con el senor y ella confirmandome como estabamos conectadas por el senor en el mismo punto, mientras hablabamos mi computadora sono muchas veces con el ruido de un trueno, cuando termine de hablar con ella, busque mi Biblia en el internet y me puse a estudiar, mi computadora seguia sonando como un trueno, sabia que algo estaba sucediendo, y me dirigi a facebook alli encontre el mensaje de que fuera a este wetside, hermanos aqui encontre el estudio que estaba buscando, vivir la vida al maximo, y espiritualidad comenzando por el estudio primero, despues que entre en la pagina, mi computadora me dio otro ruido de trueno y en este momento qe ya lei todo el etudio y les estoy contestando, precisamente en pocos segundos anteriores mi computadora volvio a sonar como un trueno, que bello es nuestro Dios, mi regocijo no se puede expresar con palabras, gracias senor, gracias hermanos, Bendito sea mi Dios por habernos conectados.
This article gave definition to how I feel! Although I don’t mind winter and enjoy its beauty and serenity, I still await with excitement the rebirth of the earth and the coming of Easter. Easter is such a glorious time! Summer is a special time, but at my age, I try to stay away from the heat and the sun. However, the beauty of the earth is at its peak with all the green and the abundance of floral beauty. In the fall, a wondrous time, I watch as the earth gets ready for bed. I thank the Lord for the seasons of the earth as I thank Him for the seasons of my life.
Ah,so timely and soothing to my eyes!