Seasons

I love plants.  I love growing plants, propagating plants, nurturing them and enjoying them.  It does my heart good to walk in the garden at different times of the day, and enjoy the sights, sounds and scents that nature provides.  I love how each of the plants responds to seasons and circumstances.  Many times in the bible Jesus uses plants to describe our relationship with God.  Here are some of the beautiful things we can learn from the seasons in the garden.

To survive the intense heat of the Summer we need to make sure that we have roots that go deep, to streams of living water. Though we may be heat stressed and weary, this is also a time of strong growth, encouraging us to put down strong roots for the next season. Summer is also the time of rain and storms, which refresh us and wash us clean. 

 Autumn is when all of the dead leaves fall away.  We are often pruned in this time to make way for the new growth in the Spring. It is a time of rest and stripping away.

Winter is a season when we are often dormant. A time of standing fast and waiting.  A time of weathering through the harsh frost and icy winds.  To stand strong in this time of this time you must have put down deep roots in the Summer months.

Spring is the season of new life, new growth and new adventure. Definitely where we would like to live most of our days.  However did you know that without the Summer heat and rain our roots would fail to grow deep enough?  Without the rest of Autumn, our lives would be short lived and overly burdened.  Without the cold frosty Winter, our buds may fail to bloom and give fruit.

Each Season holds it's own beauty and purpose, both for the plants of the earth and the children of God.

For everything there is a season,

a time for every activity under heaven. (Ecc 3:1)

If you have the time read more of this passage here.