It’s almost Spring, but here in Virginia, it’s still messy outside.
In the shady spots, there is still muddy slush from the last snow, and where the state road runs along our property, there are rows of scraped dirt mixed with gravel and grass where the snow scrapers got a little too deep. They’ll have to be removed before mowing season so they won’t dull the mower blades.
Just this week, John and I spent an entire afternoon picking up three truckloads of sticks and branches that had fallen in our yard over the winter (see photo above) and hauling them to the edge of the woods where they won’t be in the way when he starts to mow grass soon.
Changing seasons can be a messy time.
Changing seasons are messy in other parts of life too…
The seasons of our lives can get messy as we transition from one to another: from childhood to adulthood, from high school to college, from single to married, from married to divorced or widowed, from young to middle-aged to old.
Change can be hard. Painful. Scary.
There’s no getting around that, but thankfully, nature gives us a wonderful story that doesn’t end with deterioration and death. There is always another season, another renewal, another day. Spring is coming soon.
I am grateful for my childhood on a cattle farm, where the cycles of life and death are as regular and expected as the sun’s rising and falling. The garden and the crops are planted, grown, and harvested. Animals, including beloved pets, are born, live, and die. Seasons come and go…and come again.
My faith also informs my appreciation for these cycles—these seasons. I don’t believe death is the end of things.
Should we take action or wait?
Sometimes, during the messy times of our lives, we’re called to take action. But sometimes we’re called to wait…and waiting can be the hardest of all!
No matter what’s happening in your life, you’re always called to take care of your most precious asset—you!
Whatever season you’re in right now, however dark the road may seem right this moment, consider the seasons of nature and know with absolute certainty that just beyond the clouds, the sun is shining.
When I hit the rough patches—the messy seasons—I try to rest in the mystery, in the bittersweet truth that changes happen as part of a cycle, a circle if you will.
And what is a circle if not a beautiful symbol of eternity and hope?
NOTE: This post was adapted from two earlier posts from my blog:
“The Profound Wisdom of Changing Seasons” and “Changing Seasons Can Be Messy”
About our author: Elizabeth H. Cottrell is a founding member of the Inspired Community and award-winning author. She teaches us how to write heartspoken notes that connect, comfort, encourage, and inspire…notes that nourish our most important personal and professional relationships.
It’s such a treat to get unique points-of-view from our guest writers. If you have a story idea for the Inkspired Community newsletter, direct message
.
so true. I also experienced that link as well; while cleaning up the garden, I felt a desire to make the inner garden spring-ready. And immediately ideas pop up of things you can do, change etc. But once you are a little older, you know that it is best to give those sparkling ideas some time. Then nature will tell you which ideas have a chance and suit you best. So, patience it the key now.
Nothing wrong with being a little messy once in a while ;)
Very nice, indeed. A lovely voice of reason, faith, and wisdom packaged in easy prose. I look forward to further postings.