Circling around again

There is a time for everything, 

   and a season for every activity under heaven.

--Ecclesiastes 3:1

(I hear you. You are quietly humming, "Turn, Turn, Turn" under your breath now, aren't you?)

The weather is turning. In my part of the world, spring is just around the corner. But for my friends in South Africa and Australia, summer is wrapping up. The weather is turning a bit cooler, rains are moving in in some areas.

Life is going on. 

For us, spring is a time of promise. The deadness of winter is passed. Even the animals seem to know, as the squirrels get to doing their round-and-round-the-tree-trunk chase. Birds break out in their "happy songs," and the brilliant red daddy cardinal sits atop the antenna, surveying all he sees.

Best part? As I walk down the driveway, he sings, "Purty! Purty! Purty! Purty!"

Why, thank you. *blush*

All this led me to thinking about the Creation story in Genesis 1. God created evening and morning, sun, moon and stars. He separated the waters from the land-- but we do not hear much about seasons, do we?

I am not suggesting the seasons were somehow humanity's idea (like Daylight Saving Time-- bleah), but it is curious. To me, anyway.

And the names we give them in English. 

Spring. Spanish offers primavera, something of a first sighting. French: printemps, first time. 

And we go with spring? 

And in September. Fall? I really wonder about that one. 

Did someone somehow feel we needed reminding every year, before the world enters its chill season of death and sleep, that we are fallen, broken and will someday die, as well?

Like sliding on the ice is not reminder enough in winter. 

I suppose my point, if there is one, is simply this: Even  in life, we experience seasons. Seasons of joy, seasons of darkness and pain. 

But it always is exactly that: a season. After every winter, there is always a springtime. It won't be the same as any previous season, but always, it holds the promise and hope that life can, will and does go on.

Creator God, we are so grateful for your promise of fresh life, a new day and a new season. May you find our souls fertile soil in which to allow your seeds of hope to take root and grow. Amen.