Seasons change, but God remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. As long as this earth endures, He will faithfully usher in the changing seasons. We may like one better than the others, or a particular season may be harder than another for us for physical or emotional reasons. But each season has its purpose, whether or not we can discern it. And though seasons change in nature and in life, what will never change is that God loves us and is with us, no matter what.
Which season is the hardest for you physically? Emotionally? For me, it’s winter. I used to love winter as a child. We would dig out caves in the huge drifts of snow in front of our grove of trees, build snow forts or snowmen, and sled down the hills in the pasture. But as the season of my life changed both physically and emotionally, winter has become my least favorite season.
Winter will always have value though beyond what we can see or understand. In nature, trees are dormant. They look so dead, and yet below the frozen ground their roots are stretching and strengthening, actually fortifying their well-being.
Likewise, the winters of the soul can seem so devastatingly barren, but yet God is still working beneath the surface, even when we can’t “feel” it. Time and again, we need our roots to stretch and grow, to be planted more firmly into Jesus, our only sure Foundation, our Rock of Strength.
“In the wilderness waters leap forth, and streams in the desert.
Believers are not dependent upon circumstances.
Their joy comes not from what they have, but from what they are;
not from where they are, but from whose they are;
not from what they enjoy, but from that which was suffered for them by their Lord.
It is a singular joy, then, because it often buds, blossoms, and ripens in wintertime,
and when the fig tree does not blossom, and there is no herd in the stall.”
~ Charles Spurgeon
God Sees and Hears the Pain We Hide From Others
“Do you ever wonder what the story behind a person’s outward appearance is? Some paste on smiles, myself included, to hide heartaches. Some display a tough attitude to hide the crumbling inside of them that they can’t seem to stop. Even sad faces don’t really tell us the depth of the pain they are suffering.” Read More of this popular 2018 post…
“We know nothing of the trials, sorrows and temptations of those around us,
of pillows wet with sobs, of the life-tragedy that may be hidden behind a smile,
of the secret cares, struggles, and worries that shorten life
and leave their mark in hair prematurely whitened,
and a character changed and almost recreated in a few days.
Let us not dare to add to the burden of another the pain of our judgment.”
~ William George Jordan
Nature Retreat
“Some people, in order to discover God, read books.
But there is a great book: the very appearance of created things.
Look above you! Look below you! Read it.
God, whom you want to discover, never wrote that book with ink.
Instead He set before your eyes the things that He had made.
Can you ask for a louder voice than that?”
~ St. Augustine
🙂 Photos From My Gifted Brother in Arizona 🙂
🙂 And some photos I was privileged to capture recently 🙂
Summer went by far too quickly for me! I love warm weather!
Soon we will be seeing the glorious colors of Autumn.
Which season is the most meaningful to you? Why?
Which season is difficult for you? Why?
How have the seasons of life changed for you?
Freed to Fly 
As I get older, I’m trying to see each day of each season a gift from God, whether or not I like that particular day I’m in or not. But if I had to choose one, I think it would be Autumn. The colors and the cooler temperatures are always welcoming to me. I do love the occasional snow we get here in the winter, but only if I don’t have to drive in it – LOL. We Southerners aren’t equipped to handle it.
Your brother’s photos and yours are simply outstanding, too, Trudy. As I’ve said many times here before, I so enjoy your inspirational words and the photos that display the wonders of God’s diverse creation. Blessings always!
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Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m glad you were inspired, Martha. Blessings to you, too! I identify with what you share here – “As I get older, I’m trying to see each day of each season a gift from God, whether or not I like that particular day I’m in or not.” Thank you for saying it so well! I imagine with all the trees surrounding your home, you are privileged with a glorious display of colors in Autumn. 🙂 May we soak in the wonders of God’s creation, no matter what season we’re in!
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I also find winter the hardest season. Our hours of daylight get very short and sometimes when I’m working I can go for a few days without seeing much daylight. I appreciate the reminder that all the seasons are necessary, and I’m glad that God is always the same regardless of the season.
The pictures are amazing as always – so many fascinating creatures. I have never seen or heard of a fox squirrel before – I don’t think we have them in the UK.
Love and blessings to you!
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Thank you, Lesley. It truly is amazing how many fascinating creatures there are. Love and blessings to you, too! That would be very difficult to go for a few days without seeing much daylight, Lesley. May the light of Jesus spread abroad in our hearts and lives and give us strength and courage!
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Like you Trudy I find Winter the hardest now with Chronic health conditions.
When I was younger I enjoyed all seasons but now I enjoy the temperate seasons of Spring & Autumn.
As our Australian Summer’s can be brutally hot & Winters painfully cold.
But like you, I know all seasons have their place.
Wonderful photos.
Blessings, Jennifer
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Thank you for sharing, Jennifer. I was thinking of you as I thought of the seasons, how you are maybe heading into Spring instead of Autumn? All the new life of Spring always infuses hope into my heart after the cold winter. 🙂 May you have a wonderful Spring and may God give us strength through whatever season of life we’re in!
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Amen! Thank you! Yes we’re in Spring now Trudy & the blooms are breathtaking at the moment, all of our Rhododendron bushes are in full bloom, Bluebells are out with different varities of Daises beside them our garden is such a source of delight at the moment.😊
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That is awesome, Jennifer. I am happy for you! ❤️
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I love the pictures you took Trudy! Those Blue Heron’s are shy creatures, but you managed to get a close shot of them. Nice! And thank you for sharing the St. Augustine quote. I want to be looking up at creation as much as I can where “ the very appearance of created things” are rather down at a screen. Fall is my favourite season, for sure. February and March seem to be the months I least like, I think. They are cold and messy months, I find!
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Thank you, Lynn. Yes, I was so delighted to get pics of that Blue Heron. 🙂 I hope you may have some refreshing, colorful walks this Fall! May we open our eyes and hearts to the Voice of our Creator in His creation!
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may God recalibrate and reframe that winter season that challenges far too many of us. may we see His light in the icy cold, in the sparkling snow, in the early dusk, in the solitary hours.
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Yes, we certainly need daily recalibration in cold winter seasons, both in nature and in our spiritual lives. Thank you, Linda, for this prayer! May we always remember God’s love for us is displayed in each season if we may by grace open our eyes to it!
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Autumn is my favorite! I’m SO grateful to God for allowing me to live to see another one. I’m so looking forward to the season and getting our porch decorated! It’s always so nice to stop and visit with you, Trudy. God bless and comfort your heart and heal every wound and hurt.🙏❤😊
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Autumn can be so colorful. I love watching the difference in trees, how some start turning colors later than others. 🙂 I’m sure your porch will look beautiful, Cheryl! Your prayer really touches my heart. Thank you so much! May God do the same for you!
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Fall, leading into winter, are hard seasons for me, too. A lot of difficult things have happened in my life in the late fall months. But also lots of good things, too. Life is full of ups and downs at the same time. Love the photos again as always, Trudy. Blessings to you, friend!
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I’m so sorry late fall brings memories of difficult things, Lisa. It’s strange how our bodies remember. But yes, life is full of ups and downs at the same time. And you’re good at reminding us of that in your posts, so thank you for all your encouragement. Blessings to you, too! May God help us not to forget His blessings in the midst of all the tough stuff!
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Earlier this morning, while in a prayer group, I shared such a similar thought. The change of seasons, especially the change from summer to fall, causes me to pause and appreciate that our God never changes. His faithfulness, gentleness, mercy, grace, and love will forever be the same. Constant. Trudy, your post is beautiful and encouraging in both words and photos!
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Thank you for sharing, Joanne. It’s such a comfort that “His faithfulness, gentleness, mercy, grace, and love will forever be the same.” And thank you for your kind words. I’m grateful you were encouraged. May we continually pause and appreciate the constant, never-failing faithfulness of our God!
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