September. What does that mean to you? It seems it slipped in quietly without any word or warning. It was just here.

When I was growing up, it meant school started. We always had one last summer hurrah camping with family in a remote, primitive campground. No running water, electric, showers or indoor plumbing. There was a genuine outhouse every now and then. I’m not sure I would like that with my middle of the night trips to the bathroom. The campground was also called “Spotted Bear” so that makes for a nervous run to the loo.

September also meant apple cider, falling leaves, cold mornings, fire in the stove, preserving garden produce, new shoes and notebooks. As much as it felt like the end of something, it was also the beginning.

I love the changing of seasons, but my favorite is fall. It is a signal to slow down, snuggle up and rest. After a busy spring and summer of growing and tending what grows, I am ready to rest.

Scripture also has something to say about seasons. There is a time for everything. What season are you enjoying right now? Are you just ending one season and entering something new? Perhaps you are just beginning something new, like marriage or parenthood. Whatever it is, remember life is filled with seasons. None last forever and the one you are in now will soon pass. So, take heart and love where you are.

¹For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. ²A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. ³A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. ⁴A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. ⁵A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. ⁶A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. ⁷A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. ⁸A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8