Changing Seasons

I love living in a climate that experiences the changing of seasons.  Just when we are totally over the cold or the heat... the temperature changes and you get a reprieve.  We are on the very front end of my most favorite season change.. summer to fall.  I love everything about fall and I love that I live in a place that has a super long fall season.  I feel more energized each morning with the cooler temperatures.  Just when I felt like I couldn't stand the heat of summer one more day, the weather began to change, cooler temperatures set in, and I felt like I could let out a big sigh of relief.  (This is especially true this year as summer is super rough in the world of a preggo.)

I also love that life is full of season changes.  I feel like just as the seasons are changing, I'm in the midst of a season change in my life.  The spring and summer were rough for me.  I was in a lonely place and blogged some about it here.  I thought constantly about what my life in Iowa was like versus what my life in Georgia was like.  I couldn't help but feel like my new life here would just never measure up.  Lately, though, God has been so gracious in providing some hope in terms of new friendships and community.  He certainly didn't have to but He chose to answer my prayers for some real, authentic friendships and community.  And for that I am so thankful. This rough season reminded me that I cannot rely on my circumstances to bring me joy and contentment and I realized just how much I do that.  There is no other way but to find joy through following Jesus, regardless of what that looks like during any particular season.  I have so much to learn.

These season changes remind me of these verses from Lamentations 3:

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion therefore I will wait for Him.'

So thankful, today, for God's great love, compassion, and faithfulness.