When Seasons Come Too Early

When Seasons Come Too Early
Saturday, August 6, 2016 by Hannah S. Hunter

How many times are we well meaning in trying to prepare for a coming season, but life distracts and changes our priority without our input or permission? For those of us who live in the climate of four seasons and warp speed life, we are so out of sync.

Being in Kenya in April and May, I was caught in that transition. Being ill before and long after I returned, I was not able to keep up with the season that required much outdoor preparation. Bless GOD it has been dry and hot, minimizing the yard maintenance.

Some seasons of life are thrust on us like that. It is not that we are not vigilant, but they come without our vote or desire. Yet those of us who hold onto and believe in a sovereign GOD know that HE guides us through to places of refuge.

On Facebook, there is a challenge now to post about your spouse and his/her virtues. I love how we embrace GOD’s design of marriage. Yet to the widows or widows in deed—death, divorce, rejection, or total emotional ignoring of spouse—this is a reminder our seasons as being part of a couple came to an end too soon.

When a season thrusts us into the hurricanes or blizzards, we access our resources. We gather our loved ones or those who reside in our household and strategize how we are going to weather this prayerfully short-lived season.

Seasons of loss or any life change, whatever they are, start a whole chain of events. One unchanging fact is that seasons will change. We must embrace our GOD, trust, and exercise faith more and more as we age along with the earth. We brace for what is to come. Indeed, may our anchor hold!

As we plan for a wedding in our home, we are aware of a huge void. The beloved father of the bride and groom will not be present except from heaven’s view. Yes, we have grown and moved back into living. Yet the season causes some melancholy. Who would not want her parent, spouse or best friend on the day of covenant blessings?

Each season brings in newness and freshness. Open the windows of your body, soul and spirit, and welcome what season GOD has sent. Let HIM blow HIS fresh wind and love on all things that evoke an ouch. Doors must close, and backward glances have to cease. Please be patient and have mercy if you are not in this season. Some tend to speak from their season.

As a missionary to Kenya, I have many transitions, seasons and adjustments. Not only do we have a wedding, but now the family home has to exchange hands. No longer when I am without any conveniences can I think of my familiar comforts waiting in my residence. I raised children, loved my husband and heard much laughter of friends here. It was a haven and refuge for all seasons.

Living in a general’s tent takes on a whole new meaning when there is no permanent address. I heard the HOLY SPIRIT say when I was going on a journey in the States to be prepared to live out of a suitcase. No physical permanent haven/refuge. Now I will learn another level of what unprecedented trust is all about. Prov.3:5 (NLT) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Proverb 3:6 (NLT) Seek HIS will in all you do, and HE will show you which path to take. This season closes a huge part of my life. I have to leave and release my physical haven. I will walk the path HE shows me with my suitcase in hand. The haven will now be more a mindset than a place. He promises strength and unfailing love.

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