2025, just like every year, will hold within itself four seasons. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall (If you are of a mature age, you may be humming a Carole King song right now). Seasons are an intentional part of God’s sovereign design. After the flood in Genesis 8:22 God says “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will
never cease.”

Our lives have seasons, which are also part of our loving Father’s design. We may go through four in a year or experience one season for four years. I am sure that as you are reading this, you know exactly what season you are in today. Whatever season that may be, be comforted with the knowledge that God is in it and it is good. As believers, we are in a relationship with an intimate and intentional God. He is daily sanctifying us into the image of His Son and none of the process is wasted.

In our Winter seasons, when we are laid bare and He is quiet, we are learning to be still in His presence. When all seems desolate and He seems far away, we seek Him more fervently. Beneath the hardened Winter soil of our heavy hearts are the seeds that God has planted and has not forgotten. Although all seems to be at a standstill, the beginnings of new life and promises are beginning to grow. One of my Winter seasons was when I lost my Mom to COVID-19. I laid my heart bare before God and begged Him to save her earthly
life. He chose to bring her home to Him instead. My anger in this season forced me to seek Him and in the end, I discovered facets of His character I never would have otherwise. I don’t think I have ever grown so much as I did through this season of my life.

Slowly, without cognitively acknowledging it, the days get warmer and we move into the Spring season. We lift our praise to Him, grateful that the Winter doesn’t last forever. The seeds of faith that were hidden in the winter soil, break forth and bloom. We see God in everything as He is making all things new. There is so much growth in and around us. One of my favorite Spring seasons was when I received salvation. I had just experienced a Winter season of divorce and brokenness. During that season, a friend invited me and my two girls to church. I started attending and reading my bible at home. One day, I was reading scripture and Jesus saved my soul on the floor of my single wide. I was given new life in Him and from that moment began a long Spring season of growth and seeing God in everything around me.

Our Summer season brings a bountiful harvest. Our maturing spiritual fruit is abundant and we prosper in all we do. Psalm 1:3 says it this way “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.” In all that he does, he prospers. The longer days and slower pace indicate more reflection and quality time with God. His presence is as sure as the Sun. Although our Summer seasons may usher in some storms, we
know it is just a matter of time before He breaks through the darkness. I am currently in a Summer season. The seasons that I have gone through previously have produced in me spiritual fruits that I am now being called to share with others. I feel His presence tangibly and I fully trust Him with the next steps and Seasons He has for my life. I know there will be storms but I have blessed assurance in His protection and provision because He has not failed me yet. I believe His promises to uphold me and give me victory in every circumstance.

Our Fall seasons can be hard but they are a necessary grace in our spiritual walk. Our Fall seasons bring clearly into focus what we have to be thankful for. It calls us to look back at what God has done but also to look forward to where He wants to take us. This requires change and transitions to make room for new growth. Just as the tree turns and loses its leaves, God is turning us and calling us to let go of comforts that hinder our growth in Him. My hardest fall season is when I learned that I am not in control of my children. So much of my identity was wrapped up in being a good mom with good kids for a long time. He allowed some scenarios in my life as a mother that I could not control and it broke my heart. He continued to remind me that I can be thankful for the blessing that my kids are without letting their decisions dictate my joy. I was able to let that control go so I could truly rest in the One who is in control.

Seasons are the Grace of God’s design in our lives as He moves us closer to His son, Jesus. I don’t know what season you are in now, and I don’t know what seasons 2025 may usher in but my prayer is that in the middle of it, you will remember His love for you and the truth that no part of the process is wasted. We don’t know what this year will bring but we do know that because we serve a sovereign God, it is going to be good.

Ardently His,

Jenifer