Seasons

Good morning, friends.

I love the changing of the seasons…especially those days where you can sense something new coming, a shift, a fresh change. I love the new life, growth, and warmth of spring. I love the time on the water, the long days, the sun of summer. I love the colors, coolness, and anticipation of autumn. And I love the coziness, slowing, and stillness of winter. The changing seasons bring more delight if we embrace the unique experiences afforded by each. If our focus drifts to all the things we can’t do during any given season, they feel long and desolate. 

Sometimes these weeks at home feel never-ending. Friends, they are not. This is a season. I’m wondering how a shift in perspective might alter our experience of this season. There are no shortages of disappointments, frustrations, fears, and anxieties accompanying our time at home. I believe the devil would love nothing more than for us to get stuck in the dredges of these days. To wallow, drown in discouragement, and embrace the angst of our circumstances. 

But Jesus offers a better way. Our story is one of redemption, freedom, and hope. We are people covered by a covenant, a promise of better days to come. How then can we redeem these days? Where is the beauty in this season? How can we cultivate our homes, our souls, our relationships in order to produce more growth and fruit when spring comes? 

It’s Holy Week. And it will be beautiful regardless of where or how differently we celebrate. Just like the days leading up to Easter Sunday provide opportunity for preparation, anticipation, and reflection, maybe we have a chance to practice those same things during this quarantine. We are in a season of stillness and uncertainty. But Sunday is coming!

With hope,

Kate