As we watched another beautiful sunrise over Lake Ontario, peering over the Toronto city skyline, and pondered over the many challenging transitions in this season of our lives, it was a friend’s encouragement that came to mind: to enjoy every season as it comes, because it won’t last forever.
In our first few days here, I had been feeling disoriented from the jetlag, chilly spring and a cold I had got. Having time to think away from home, without the comfort of familiarity and friends, made loneliness a chill that sank into my bones. I was surprised to hear Cliff articulate sentiments similarly illogical to my own- we both felt we were irrational to feel strangely resigned at adjusting back to his home in Canada, since we would be moving on again very shortly to Singapore, and then Uganda. Shouldn’t we be happy? Shouldn’t we be enjoying the time spent here back in his hometown before we set off to serving in Uganda in the next phase of our lives? Somehow, the stresses of transition weighed heavy on our hearts.
It took a sobering talk and revelation for us to realize, that to enjoy each season of our lives, we must greet it with thanksgiving and gratitude, with a healthy dose of acceptance, realism and joy. Constantly fretting about the next season of our lives and the transitions it would bring, would not only invite fear and anxiety into our present, but spoil our ability to savour the current season of our lives.
We must know, that every season will not last forever. And this season, could be a much-needed time of temporary rest, refreshment, and reconnecting with loved ones.
With every season, comes its own unpleasantries: this time of early spring, it is the residual frost, chills, and temperamental weather, a far cry from the blue-skied summers we enjoyed last year. In winter, comes the pain of snowstorms and its inconveniences to travelling.
But with each season, also comes its unparalleled beauties, unique to its own: this time of spring, there are Canadian cherry blossoms, woods speckled with curious deer, birds and squirrels, budding tulips in unabashed colors of scarlet and gold. Winter, hold its own pristine charm, as does the golden hues of Fall.
Each season’s color, smells and highlights are intensely unique,
and at the end, it’s what we make of it that matters.
If we learn to abide in God and trust in His timing,
we shall find the current season we are in,
the best place to be,
before the next adventure arrives at our feet.
What can you give thanks for in this season of your life?
* All photos were taken at Lake Ontario with Cliff.