Seasons

Daniel answered and said:“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding.
Daniel 2:20-21 NLT

Think about how many times in the last week you've heard someone mention something to do with seasons. 
Football season. 
Seasonal allergies. 
The holiday season is upon us. 
The seasons are changing - winter's coming. It won't be long before we're hearing, "Tis the Season..."  It's not surprising when you really think about it. All of life is seasonal.

In most of the U.S., Daylight Saving Time ends tonight (clocks go back an hour). And even though we technically get an extra hour to sleep, I don't like when the time changes back because then I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark, and I know that winter is coming. My least favorite season...

Now I know, in South Texas, winters are not anything when compared to those north of the border. However, I don't live north of the border for that very reason. Winter was so long last year that August was almost over before I mentioned how hot it was one day. This time of year should be low-to-mid 70s, that's our normal seasonal weather - not the 40-something degrees they're calling for in the 7-day forecast. I hate sudden changes like that. 

I hate it more so when it's a life season that is suddenly changed - sickness, loss, death. Catastrophic. Devastating. Overwhelming... except for the grace of God. One thing I have learned from living this long. God - my God - created the seasons. And He created it so that Spring always follows Winter. 

During the dark of the winter season when everything looks grey and bare, there is the hope of Spring. During the dark of the seasons of life, there is hope for the Light of the World and the new life we find in Him. He is faithful. He will see us through. It's a season... and He made them all.

Prayer:

Father,

         Blessed be Your Name, O God, forever and ever, for wisdom and might are Yours. You change the times and the seasons; You remove kings and raise up kings; You give wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. We know that You direct them all, and we trust You in all of them. Help us, Father, to walk boldly in the path You have put before us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen