Happy First Day of Fall!

I'm the one in the Spelling Bee who would have asked, "May I have the definition please?" It's usually not enough for someone to just tell me - I need you to show me. I want to understand. Let me grasp it. I will let it marinate as I process.

It is the first day of Autumn (Happy Fall, by the way) and I love the change of seasons. Sure, I'm indulging in Pumpkin Spice Lattes and all-things-pumpkin. My drive to work down the mountain has become increasingly enjoyable as the fall sunrise shines brilliantly on the leaves that are starting to change color. And I'm reminded; it's a new season.

As you may be able to tell, I fully embrace any opportunity to celebrate - mainly because I love to share joy. So the thought of costumes for Fall Fun Fests is followed by the quickly approaching Holiday season filled with turkey and all the trimming and the celebration of my Savior's Birth. (I cannot WAIT to have a Birthday cake for Jesus with Elijah this year!)

I guess part of the reason why I love the changing seasons is because it is our Creator's reminder that all things are temporary. When my adolescent years were a challenge I claimed 2 Cor. 4:18: "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." I had to remind myself - it's temporary.

It may come as no surprise that even today, the beginning of Fall, I'm inclined to celebrate. Not only that, I needed to dig deeper.

As a noun, "season" can be defined as a period of time.

As a verb, it is described as becoming seasonsed, or in other words, maturing.

When something is "in season" it is understood as being in its prime, or in a state of use.

I don't know what season you may be going through. Maybe celebrating a new beginning. Maybe just as happy to see the end of something else. Maybe stuck wondering when this season will pass. Maybe desperately thinking it's not temporary.

What I'm reminded of with these definitions is that whatever season we may be going through, it is not just a period of time we must endure or enjoy, but a process we go through to become seasoned - to mature - so that we may reach our prime.

Consider the season you're going through God's way of seasoning you so that you may become in season.

"For everything there is a seaon..." The rest of that verse says "and a time for every purpose under heaven." The Hebrew for "purpose" is defined as "that in which one takes delight." Delight, dear one. Even in this time that may seem as bleak as the coldest, darkest day of winter. Rejoice because just as the leaves are changing, so are you being transofmred, seasoned, matured. Maybe without even realizing it, He is preparing you for His purpose.

Enjoy a Pumpkin Spice Latte for me on this first day of Fall and be reminded of God's purpose to prepare you for whatever season He may be bringing you to or through.