Seasons

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.  Ecclesiastes 3:3

The countdown to kickoff has begun at our house, and with it, comes the assurance of fall.  I can’t wait for the leaves to turn, the temperatures to fall, the fire to be lit, and the sound of cheering to begin.

Just like the weather, our lives are lived in seasons, and it’s probably a good idea to begin to recognize where we are in life’s seasons and start maximizing each one.  Although, it’s hard for me to believe, I think the winter of my life is either here, or it is really late in Fall.

In spring, we begin to look for God’s purpose in our lives and prepare for it the best we can.  In summer, we tweak the purposes from spring and begin to carry them out.  In Fall, we take those purposes and begin to work harder and smarter to achieve them while we begin to transition to winter.  In winter, we assess our accomplishments, enjoy our rewards, pass on helpful advice, and take our bows on a job well done.

No season can last forever, and we are only meant to be fruitful during our time.  As we prepare for seasons to come, it’s important that those coming into seasons behind us don’t forget the fruit that was borne before them.  The person in each season can learn from those who have experienced the seasons and learned from each one.

Lately, I have heard so many friends who have lost a parent, a friend, or a trusted mentor utter these words, “I wish I had made time to listen to them more and taken their advice to heart.  I regret the time I wasted.”  This includes everything from family to career advice.  I pray that we all take time to listen to those seasoned folks in our lives.

Every generation stands on the shoulders of the generation that came before.  Jealously guard the values and principles of our heritage; they did not come easy.  Ronald Reagan