when seasons change. . .

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” –Eccl. 3:1

The changing seasons. A new one is arriving to replace the old.

Fall has always been my preference. Color. Coolness. Breezes and releases. The heat of summer is being swept away by the wind, and I am ready for flannel and jackets. I’m ready for the cover-up of fall. Time to wrap up, go in, let go, and go deeper with Jesus. Time to hide-away with him and to unwrap the treasures of this seasonal shift. Yes, an autumnal embrace is a good fit with my heart. It refreshes my soul.

What about you? What season cradles your steps? What season is currently challenging your heart? Fall? Winter? Spring? Summer?

A few thoughts from Beyond Cancer’s Scars: Laying Claim to a Stronger Spirit:

“I don’t know what season you’re walking through, but I do know that each one bares a worthiness all its own. As you trace the heart of King Solomon, I imagine that you, along with me, are able to find the lines of your story tangled up with each line of his. There’s hope to be found there, to our realizing that we live a seasonal faith and that, with that living, comes a time for every thing—every joy, pain, frustration, surrender, sorrow, and celebration. Nothing in our lives is exempt from the cyclical process of our winter, spring, summer, and fall. We can choose to walk through them with little or no effect to our hearts, but we cannot deny the possibility of growth extended to us because of them. Each season of our lives is rife with eternal possibilities. The soul shift happens when we bow low and lean into those possibilities.” –F. Elaine Olsen, Beyond Cancer’s Scars, pg. 137.

Maybe today, maybe sometime this weekend, you might take a look at King Solomon’s heart via his pen, found in Ecclesiastes 3? Maybe, like me, you’ll be able to pinpoint your current season to one of Solomon’s. In doing so, I pray your heart refreshed, encouraged, lifted up, and strengthened by the truth that (regardless of whatever season you’re walking through) you’re not walking it in isolation from the Almighty. God is hunkered down with you in the midst of your steps, and he sees clearly the marked path in front of you.

Trust in that abiding, friends, and stick close to the Father.

Wrap up; go in; let go; go deeper.

God has something more for you than currently meets the eye. Most certainly, that something will stretch your faith and shape your soul. Keep to it. As always . . .

Peace for the journey,

To learn more about you might receive the witness of Beyond Cancer’s Scars: Laying Claim to a Stronger Spirit, click here.  Also, for those of you who live in the Goldsboro, NC, area, Pine Forest UMC is hosting a book signing Saturday morning, October 13th, from 10:00 AM until. Feel free to contact me for additional details.

19 Responses to when seasons change. . .

  1. Beautiful, Elaine. Our seasons are never wasted, & that gives me hope! Thank you. I have your new book and can’t wait to read it!

  3. OH, I wish I could come to your book signing! How exciting, Faith Elaine. These words here are so beautiful. They speak to me right where I am today. Was meditating on this scripture this evening. Seasons…they teach us so much about God, don’t they? I’m taking the invitation. Going deeper.

  4. I’m waiting to burst forth into spring on a couple of different levels. Waiting and trusting in His timing. So glad to know that, like you said, Elaine, He is hunkered down with me.

    Enjoy your book signing this weekend!

  6. Elaine, my best friend is arriving in two weeks, and she has bought a copy of your book for me. I am excited to read it, for really I have been a part of your story. But now Fall is here, and I know you are entering a new season… not just in a literal sense, but also in the spiritual realm. Fall is my favorite season too, even if we do not have a fall season here. I know God has something new and fresh to pour into your life.

    Much love
    Lidia

  8. I’ve always loved the word seasons. And I’ve been through many of them. It helps me to remind myself that this is a season and eventually things will change.

    I also want to thank you for writing your book. Every morning I read a few chapters and look up the Bible verses at the end of each. You are ministering to me even though I’ve not experienced cancer. As I mentioned on Facebook, this is a heart book Elaine.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

    • I had a thought earlier today . . . about tomorrow. Nothing earth-shattering, but simply the thought that the Father already knows how tomorrow is going to go for me (in regards to my speaking), etc. The outcome is there in front of him. Why worry about the details? He sees it all!

  9. Thank you for your beautiful card. I cherish you note and you, sweet friend. Like you, I’m looking forward to the season change. Today, it’s cool and breezy; kind of a gray day, but that’s ok. I like those days. They give me permission to be lazy, but as of yet, I haven’t done that.

    XOXOXO,
    Brenda

  10. One of the reason we returned to WA State from Arizona was to enjoy the changing of seasons. Instead of hot, and more hot, we now have four distinctly different climates, with all the redecorating that requires every 3 months or so.

    As for my heart, I think I’ve weathered a myriad of seasons. I’ve often dreaded Winter until I learned how to wear my armor for insulation. I’ve suffered far less freezer burn as a result.

    Now I’m adjusting to a new sort of season … that of “senior” status & retirement. It approximates Fall too, in many ways. And everything goes better with a warm fire & some cider.

  11. I love the seasons, especially fall. I used to love summer when I lived in California, but summer in Texas is long and hot! The seasons of our lives change too, as you said so well. Bundling up for a long walk in the crisp fall days never gets old. I wait expectantly for this new season, inside and out. 🙂

  12. wifeforthejourney:

    Those that know you, on-line or in-person, know you are nothing if not authentic. As time passes and season’s change I am reminded this morning of how little I am in control of in the world around me. I remember when, as a new Christian in the
    mid-80s I read Ecclesiastes for the first time and thought to myself, “This guy sounds really depressed.” BUT as I dug into what Solomon meant when he reflects on his own experiences in life, I realized that the ultimate conclusion of Ecclesiastes is that life has meaning ONLY insofar as we have a relationship with God.

    So, as I start my day I’m glad it starts with you and that I am not alone….”Time to wrap up, go in, let go, and go deeper with Jesus”

    Love you,
    Billy

  13. Elaine, beautiful post. You spoke to me when you wrote: “Time to hide-away with him and to unwrap the treasures of this seasonal shift.” That’s what fall and winter is for me. I spend those months even MORE in prayer–listening for God’s words–His deeper still moments I’m privileged to enter into in prayer with Him. I listen attentively and speak a lot less. I write in my private journal MORE. I pull away MORE. It’s a time of gleaning and growing and then…spring and summer–the months that reflect the work done in the enclosed time with God in the fall and winter. Refreshing, challenging and comforting in the same breath.

    I am sure the book signing was awesome for you! I’m excited for all that God is doing in your life. Looking forward to standing on the side watching and praying for you.

    Love you.

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