Favorite Season

Well, Sunday is the first day of Fall. Aren’t you excited? We will have the joy of experiencing crisp and cool mornings, and temps will hover in the 70’s throughout the day.  Uh, wait just a minute. That was exactly what I enjoyed last week.  My wife and I were in a cabin in Highlands, North Carolina.  It was wonderful.

               But reality check.  We are still in Southeast Coastal Georgia.  I don’t think Fall temperatures will magically appear because we turn the page on the calendar. It takes Fall just a little bit longer to reach us than it does other places.  And can I share a secret with you?  I don’t mind at all.

               Now listen. Fall is actually my favorite season of the year.  I love going to the mountains for a few days of rest and relaxation. But it’s what follows Fall in many places that gets to me.  I’m not a cold weather fan.  Yes, my family lived in the upper Midwest (Indiana and Michigan) for more than 14 years.  We served wonderful churches and made marvelous friendships. But do I miss the weather?  Let me just say it this way. I’ll take August here over February in Michigan 24/7/365 without any hesitation.

               In fact, I promised God when we moved back south that I would not complain about the heat, and I have kept that promise. Don’t get me wrong. I love air conditioning. But the cold wears me out. Still, when the Lord led us to move to the north we did so, and happily served Him there.

               I am reminded that Paul wrote to the Philippians and said, “I am content no matter the circumstances.” What a great attitude the apostle had.  And he lived that way.  Even from prison, where he wrote that letter, he spoke about joy and rejoicing and made it clear that the Lord was all that he needed. 

               I don’t know the circumstances of your life right now. But I know that the Lord is with us. He has promised never to forsake His children.  Even in the midst of the storms of life, He can be trusted. I pray that you will learn to trust Him.