BLOOMING AND CHANGING BY KAYLA POWELL

Summer is slowly transforming to fall, inviting in a new season of life.  When I think of fall, I think of a season of change.  Fall brings the promise of changing leaves, cool air, and a different perspective for life.  Sometimes it’s easy to hide the beauty of fall behind the anticipation of a cold and dark winter. 

Like summer changing to fall, I am also in a different season of life.  I am changing.  I am starting over.  A new city, a new job, a new (host) family, and new friends.  Learning how to navigate this change has been difficult but rewarding.  I came out of a season of fruitfulness, of growing, of being known into a season that seemed to lack trust, intimacy, and relationships.   

Navigating this change has been difficult and uncertain.  At times, I suffered with isolation and loneliness.  But the loneliness has provided solitude and a chance to reflect on who the Lord is.  

1 Peter talks about our sufferings. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 

This passage reminded me that the Lord uses suffering for His good.  That suffering leads to restoration, confirmation, strengthening, and establishing.  In our pain and suffering the Lord is working through us and in us.  When it feels isolating and lonely the Lord is with us always and he is making everything new and good in His time.  

Instead of focusing on the hard things in my life, the Lord is teaching me to see His beauty throughout every season of my life. “Fall finds us grateful, hopeful, and poured out.  Just as fields slow down and quiet themselves, so we embrace fall changes, knowing Who supplies all things when the blooming season comes to an end.  When one chapter closes and another is still not ours, the beauty we get to experience is seeing how the Father provides in the now and the not yet” (Ruth Chou Simons).   

In this transition phase of life, the Lord is drawing me closer to himself and teaching me that fall is a time of quieting and trusting him.  He is teaching me to lean in and rely on him each day. 

We may not be blooming but we are still growing.