So Long, Summer! Hello, Autumn!

No! It can’t be! 

How did it get to be September?! Wasn’t it the Fourth of July just yesterday?!

Who said it could be September 1 already?! 

Who gave August permission to say a sudden and dreaded good-bye?

Even though I know that autumn doesn't officially begin until later in the month, somehow the early days of September herald the beginning of fall, don’t they? 

Summers certainly do have an unkind habit of flying by way too swiftly for my desires.

School is starting … the shadows are lengthening … apple cider has appeared at my favorite roadside stand.

It seems that when September dawns it is time to put away flip-flops, beach towels and lawn chairs in exchange for mums, pumpkin spice latte's and apple pie.

I do love the season of golden leaves, crisp mornings and geese flying overhead ... but I am always just so melancholy when summer waves its final good-bye. 

I want summer to give an encore so that I can give the season of watermelon, picnics and mosquitos a standing ovation or two.

I am simply not ready for the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer to disappear like the dew on the morning grass.

My daughter and I were in Hobby Lobby recently, and she was so excited about the autumn pillows that declared, “Thankful!” … “Fall is in the Air” … “I am “falling” for you!”

 She sniffed every one of the candles that were named, “Bonfire”, “Autumn Wreath” and “Apple Crisp”. 

She tenderly touched each home decoration that was in the shape of an apple … a turkey … or a pumpkin!

I told her kindly that I just wasn’t there yet! I love fall but I’m not ready for fall …

I think my aversion to the onset of autumn is because I have been so traumatized by winter over the years that summer is my safe haven … my 90 days of delight … my happy place.

However … it is more than the dread of Old Man Winter that sends a shiver down my spine in these early days of September.

At the close of summer, I am always reminded of the rapid flow of time.

But such is life ... the seasons come and go. You can't greet a new season when you are still hanging on to the old one.

It is impossible to press “pause” on any season in life … each one is rich and lavish and each season never comes again.

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.

He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” – Daniel 2:20 & 21

You are only a newlywed for one season in life … you are a college girl for only one season in life … you are only the mom of toddlers for one season in life … you only have an empty nest for one season in life.

Whether the season that has left you standing in the wake of time is a season of the year or a season of life … know that you can still hold fast to the One who never changes.

His name is Jesus. 

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8

It is not the gift of time that makes life so glorious … but it is the presence of Jesus that adds richness and hope to every season of life. 

He is what makes life grand!

He is the necessary ingredient to all the seasons of our lives.

He is the constant … the unchanging stability … and the One who meets all of our needs in every season.

Whether you are in the season of widowhood ... of empty nesting … of the terrific twos … of the single years … or you are a newlywed … please know that in every season our challenges are much the same. 

Remind yourself often that the answer to the longing in all of our souls can only be met in one way.

His name is Jesus.

So ... so long, summer. I loved every day of your chirping birds, green grass and long walks on hot afternoons. 

Hello, autumn! Let's get re-acquainted ... I am ready for your shorter days ... your glorious colors ... and the bounty of the harvest. 

In fact, I am ready for whatever life brings my way as long as I have Jesus!

“Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.” – Jeremiah 5:24

Thanks for listening to my heart this week.  As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me.  And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!