Seasons of Change

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1.

Seasons of Change - conjurers up leaves changing in fall in anticipation of winter. And visions of rose buds blooming in Spring - ushering us into summer. What if your seasons were totally turned around and suddenly roses in spring means that Christmas is nearly here. Our family has experienced many changes in the past 8 months. We packed up our home in Georgia, and moved around the globe to the Island Country of New Zealand. New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere where the seasons are opposite to the Northern Hemisphere. I spent 40+ years of your life thinking that fall, Thanksgiving, and pumpkins go together. However, I am writing this in November, looking out my picture window at roses blooming with warming breezes and sunny days ushering Summer our way. Summer in New Zealand means it's Christmas and New Year ... swimming at the beach and long, light, summer evenings. Gone are our visions of Christmas by an open fire or jack frost nipping at your toes.

In addition to getting used to southern hemisphere seasons -my children have adapted to different school environments, different friends, different churches, etc. They have been stretched to experience many new things, and yet they are still somewhat homesick.

So while my friends back in the states are preparing for Thanksgiving and a white Christmas, we are pruning our roses and planning summer barbeques. Seasons of change. Sometimes I get physically dizzy thinking of all the changes and stress we have been through, and there is more to come as we ponder how long we should stay at our current location. I am trying to learn that if I keep my eyes fixed on my God and savior - that I stand a little steadier and don't get quite as dizzy. My daughter recently asked me how I cope (with the homesickness and missing our dog) and I told her I often sing a song quietly in my head - or say a verse to get my eyes on my true hope - Jesus. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus and Look full in his marvelous ways and the things on earth will go strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace."

I looked up the words to the old hymn..... "O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There's light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace. Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there; O'er us sin no more hath dominion For more than conqu'rors we are! His Word shall not fail you, He promised; Believe Him and all will be well; Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!
Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/645#ixzz2CnuxIClZ

God Bless you and Happy Thanksgiving!

Colette