The Seasons of Life

Just as the seasons of the year change,

so do the seasons of life.

They come and go without warning,

and change just when we don't expect them to.

I still remember my first day of 8th grade.

Now I am a Sophmore in college.

Where did time go?

Not only do the seasons of life change,

but we change with them.

I used to be quite, reserved, and shy.

Now I am louder, more outgoing, and definitely not shy.

Sure, I still have some of those more reserved aspects.

I am a conservative Republican for crying out loud.

But I have changed.

At least for the better anyway.

Have I endured hardships during those changes in life?

Yes.

Have I prayed to God that my life wouldn't change?

Yes.

Did God let it change anyway because He ultimately knew it was for my greater good and His richer joy?

Yes.

So why is it so hard when the seasons change?

Why is it so hard when the tide comes in and goes out and then comes back in again?

Don't you just wish sometimes that life would just stand still?

At least for a moment anyway.

So you wouldn't have to go through the discomfort and hardships and stress that come with the change.

Because believe me, those things come.

Good things ultimately come of the change, but it is so hard to focus on those things when you are going through those hard times.

Isn't it?

I mean for a while you are a cute kid.

Fun.

Sweet.

Lovable.

Then puberty hits.

You grow taller.

Become more gawky.

Get horrible acne.

Start needing deodorant.

You are just plain awkward.

And all you want is to get past this point in your life, 

to move on and get beautiful, or to go back and be cute again.

Either way,

you don't want to be that awkward pre-teen!

And the seasons change.

And you grow up.

And you are now in high school.

And you have to deal with boy drama.

Or AP classes.

Or drugs.

Or drinking.

And all you want is to go back to that awkward pre-teen face when all you had to worry about was what acne cream to use and what deodorant to buy.

Why couldn't life be that simple?

But then you change again.

And you go off to college.

And you start dealing with Grad classes.

And bars.

And tuition money.

And growing up.

Why couldn't you have stayed a teen in high school forever?

Why did you have to grow up?

But you see, 

there are good things that come of every change.

Every time you go through one, there is always something better that comes of it.

Unless that change is becoming a raging alcoholic,

because all you will get in that situation is knocked up and put on welfare.

My point is...

Life changes.

People change.

But one thing remains the same.

And that my friends,

is our heavenly Father.

So turn to Him in your time of need,

because He will never turn you down.

Forever His,

Rachel