I love summer, I do—but I also love fall, winter (to a point), and spring. The changing of each season is meaningful to me, and I appreciate being witness to the cycle of life.
For many, this time of year means students head back to school—and millions of parents rejoice. Though I love my son dearly…it’s time. It’s not that we didn’t have a good summer—we did. It’s just that we’ve had plenty of the good summer, and now it’s time to move on.
I know that there are parents who are sad that the summer is coming to a close and that they will no longer be able to have lazy days of heading to the pool or visiting museums, but that is not me. As the Bible says, there is a time for lazy summer days and a time for school.
I think nature agrees, too—at least in the parts of the world where fall brings beautiful bursts of color. It’s kind of like nature’s fireworks, where the colors erupt into magnificent oranges, yellows, reds, and more. A visual heralding of a new season that has its own kind of beauty to offer.
I have learned that I do best with some structure, and summer—while delightful—kind of feels like riding a bucking bronco at a rodeo—where I’m hanging on for dear life. After a while, I lose my grip, and I’m ready for the clown to come out and distract the bronco so I don’t get my head kicked in.
The return of structure is welcomed.
And with that return comes a need to reassess. A chance to exhale and reprioritize, and a framework which enables me to DO. But before the doing comes the re-calibrating.
At least that’s how it is for me. I like to have a plan and execute. (Not anything living—just my ToDo list.) Working from home, I know I have more of an opportunity to create that framework than someone who works outside the home—but me being me—that can be my undoing, as well.
So it is time for me to re-calibrate and figure out exactly what’s important for me to accomplish. Time to dust off the schedule and figure my next steps.
Those next right steps loom larger for me this fall, as I have had some major life parameter changes in recent months. I am now looking toward an unfamiliar horizon with both eager anticipation and trepidation.
It’s really not just about the yearly calendar season, though—it’s about life’s seasons, too. I think it’s safe to say that I am in the late summer of my own life, and… will my fall be a beautiful burst of color? Will it be heralding in a new way that brings its own beauty?
My sister sent me this song the other day, and it couldn’t have been better timing…
Will this year’s fall be the start of a glorious unfolding?
Though it’s not completely within my power so I cannot know the answer, I do know that it is not only a time to be still and listen, but a time to act and grow. And the rest will unfold.
What about you? Are you in the process of a glorious unfolding? What season do you find yourself in? Maybe buds are beginning to sprout for you or maybe you are in full bloom? No matter where you are, remember that the opportunity to grow and change is yours—and I hope that you are able to make the most of it and find the beauty in each and every season of life.
I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. (Jeremiah 29:11, MSG)
thejugglestruggle.net 
Another thoughtful and well-written article! I thought the song was appropriate and I enjoyed watching the video “unfold.” When Sam was in 4th grade a very close friend of his was killed in a car accident. First time I ever heard of Chapman was when they played one of his songs at her funeral. Right now, I’m sort of in a funk, as we are moving my mother out of the house and into a home. Been a rough process–6 weeks worth. Reading your message this morning uplifted me a bit. Thank you:)
Glad to hear that your morning was a tiny bit uplifted with my post. Email to follow, my friend.
Lovely post, Lisa.
Age-wise, I suppose I’m in late-fall, very late-fall! But in my spirit I’m in full-blooming summer. I’m loving life right now. Things are happening for me and I’m having fun.
Hope you manage to work out a schedule that brings you satisfaction and fun … lots of fun x
I so love to hear your answer, Christine. Loving life and having fun–very cool. Here’s to more of the same!