Consider this parable: "There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son disagreed, saying it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son also disagreed he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up. If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, and the fulfillment of your fall."
I have had to embrace every season this year even though I live in south Florida. I have found reverence, renewal, rest, and reflection in each season of my life and I have learned…winter is inevitable; it gets cold and things wither away, sometimes the very thing that we love the most, winter takes it away. Winter can be bleak, colorless, and dry--in our lives we can be overlooked, alone and depressed--spiritually barren. But just as we think winter is going to stay, God changes the landscape and spring arrives. Spring is a time of new beginnings. It is a time for us to be patient. It is a time of seeing seeds that have been planted grow into new relationships, new connections, and new opportunities. The cold blast of winter is gone and spring says hope has arrived and we get excited. Spring stays for a moment and then summer's beauty and bliss is embraced by all--a time for rest and relaxation. It is a time to be a little less productive and let the joy of living overflow; all that we have worked for has finally come--"we stop and smell the roses." After summer's relaxation, we must reflect. Fall is a time to gain new perspective; a time to be grateful and count our blessings. What season are you in right now? I am not talking about your landscape—what season is your life in right now? Wherever you are, stay connected to the source from which your blessings flow. This is Tuesday talk.
©2010/2013 Theda Okona All Rights Reserved
"Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life" Chuck Swindoll