A Dash of Pollen, A Runny Nose, and a Feeling of Warmth

I’m a winter-loving girl. I love a good snow, sledding, and days at home. Watching the snow come down is peaceful for me. I thrive on being home, cozy, without errand after errand filling my plate. I’m an introvert at my core. I’m one of the (very) few people who enjoy the sunset at five o’clock. There’s nothing like comfy clothes and being home with family.

As the seasons have begun to change, I’m reminded why God gave us seasons. We were not created to handle everything every day. I see this in the birds that have to migrate to warmer climates when it gets cold. The birds know they cannot provide for their young unless they find warmer air. I see this in the attitudes of friends who feel a lighter load when they can go for a walk outside after working all day inside. There is a lighter spirit amongst them. I see smiles when planting flowers and working in a garden. Being proud of what is being accomplished, even if it takes some work to maintain it. Seasons change to allow growth. To allow for things that can be done during some seasons, but not during others.

While the seasonal allergies have already begun to wreak havoc on our home, I’m thankful for the pollen because it means that flowers and trees are blooming. The pretty bouquets that await me to enjoy. The smell of fresh flowers on the table and the excitement of watching them bloom. It warms my soul. Though pollen may be a mere nuisance at the time, before we can blink, we will be on to the next season. Wishing for the warm days when the cold air creeps back in.

What about you? How do you find yourself as we enter these warmer seasons? Are you happy and excited, or are you stuck wishing you were back in a different season or time?

If we aren’t careful, it’s easy to find ourselves stuck in what once was. How we did things at one time or another, forgetting that times and most of all, people change. God created us to be moldable. To grow and mature as we go through life. Just what or who will mold us is, in fact, up to us. There is so much in our world today that can mold us in the wrong way. Everyone, everywhere has an opinion, and if I can be honest, I’m not in the mood for anyone’s opinion. (haha) We must decide what is important to us and how we will face our days.

Spring or summer may not be your favorite season, and that is okay. Even if it’s not your favorite, there is still something good to see in it. How will you wake up each day and choose to face your days? Will you be grateful? Will you enjoy something about your day? Will you stop and be still long enough to take in the sights and sounds?

God is calling each of us to glorify Him in all that we do and say. He is working in each of our lives to mold us into the man or woman he has planned for us to become. As we take in the new seasons, may we not miss the ways He is working in our midst. Hidden in plain sight might just be the miracle you’ve been praying for.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-13

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.

A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away.

A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.

What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.  And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.