Angie Watts can be found messing around at http://thatangiegirl.wordpress.com.

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Seasons

I walked outside this morning in my t-shirt and flip flops ready to conquer the day. Before I could blink, I was slapped in the face with the sudden 55 degree weather. I was not prepared for the change.

But oh, how good it felt!

Changes in seasons are always a funny thing. You know they’re coming, but you don’t know exactly when and you don’t know how sudden the changes will be. I always look forward to days like today when I walk out and the air is cool and crisp. Ahh, the first day of fall has finally arrived!

But don’t even mention summer to me. I mean, don’t get me wrong, once I’m in it full-swing I enjoy it just as much as any other season, but humidity? Seriously. It’s brutal. I dread the day when I walk outside and the air is so thick I can barely breathe. I don’t even make it to my car before my hair is about 4 feet wide. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about.

The seasons of life seem to be the same way. We all know chapters of life will end, and others will begin. We all know there will be the best of times, and there will be the worst of times. And just like the change in seasons, we never know exactly when they will come or how sudden the changes will be. Sometimes we’ll wake up and be fully aware that a cool, crisp, comfortable season of life has finally come. But there will be times when we wake up and the thick weight of heartache, instability, and despair is fully upon us.

It’s in those times we remember to look beyond the seasons. It’s in those times we remember to look to the One who created those seasons. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” God has a purpose for every chapter in our life…to strengthen us, to give us rest, to encourage us, to use us, to challenge us, to grow us. But the ultimate purpose for every season in our lives (good, bad, or ugly) is to glorify God himself.

So the next time you’re crawling through the dead heat of summer, not sure how much more you can endure, remember that God wants to use your brokenness to glorify Himself. And the next time you’re skipping through the cool, calm, cozy times of life, use that season of blessing to bless others and glorify Him.

In all seasons of life, Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone).