A Change of Seasons

It's November in western Pennsylvania which usually brings about crisp, cold days. But we've been experiencing some beautifully warm days this past week and I am soaking it up.  I am blessed to be able to take morning runs with my sweet dog on one of the local trails in our community.  Since this is a new phase of life for me with all 5 kids in school all day, I have been enjoying the alone time I have in God's creation as I exercise. I usually put my headphones in, find a good Bible-teaching podcast to listen to, leash up our dog and away I run.

As I was running one day this week, I started to pay attention to my surroundings and the season of we are in. Lots of leaves were on the trail leaving just a little color left on some of the trees. I started to think about the seasons and how each one has a beauty of its own. Then my mind wandered to how each season of our lives also has a beauty all its own. In some ways I couldn't wait for the season where all 5 were in school all day, and yet part of me dreaded it.  I loved having little ones at home with me all day. Yes, there were many challenges along the way, but for the most part I truly cherished it. Now I find myself in a new home with new surroundings and by myself most of the days. Jay and I have discussed and prayed about me looking for employment outside of the home but feel that for now, I have enough work to do to keep our home running. So we we will continue to make the sacrifice of living on one income. 

Lately I have been struggling with the reality that my kids aren’t little anymore. I’ve also been dealing with the challenge of leaving a church where I had grown to love the people dearly, and quite frankly, the pain of how our season there came to an end. But as I ran, looking at the rolling green hills and the fall colors still left on the trees, I felt God’s presence and peace fell upon me. Soon the trees will be bare and brown, and we will wait for snow to brighten up what’s become dingy and dead. It was in this moment that I was reminded of the life that comes out of God’s love for His children. As God continues to shape me, I am more and more aware of His presence and peace during tough times. While it may look like things around my are dying, He is preparing to bring new life from within my circumstances.

In my heart I could hear His loving voice tell me to enjoy the life that is around me and the new season He is bringing me into. To watch as His hand creates something new and exciting out of something that was lifeless and dull. Only a loving Creator can do that.

In Ecclesiastes 3:11, we read, “He makes all things beautiful in His time.” And it is in His time, not ours. So I will be thankful that I have a Heavenly Father who takes the time to show me His love over and over again; and who gently reminds me through His Word and His creation.

Sometimes we have to go through seasons where we watch things come to end. But praise God, that He brings beauty and life even out of death.

​- amy

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Hi we're Jay & Amy, and we've been married for 19 years and are super blessed to be busy raising our 5 kids; 4 boys and 1 girl. We juggle the adventures of life and ministry and share what we are learning as it relates to marriage, family, raising kids, serving in the church, and chasing after Jesus. Raising a family is hard work, especially in today's culture. But our hope is to encourage you and your family, as we live for the glory of God.

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