Yellow, brown, scarlet, and orange–the brushstrokes of angels bring autumn’s beauty to life. Instead of enjoying the pageantry, I busy myself lamenting the stark wintry weather that will soon ravage fallen leaves, old bones, and the landscape. Those merry folks who embrace winter’s bite make me grumpy, honestly. Vapor rises from their breath, liberating squeals of joy, as tongues escape to catch snowflakes.Bliss for them, despair for me.
I scold myself: Do not despise what hasn’t yet come!
Still, winter arises for me each year like the wilderness trip for the Israelites. It seems to last forever and I yearn for it to be over. It feels longer than other seasons, meaner. But in the valleys of our lives, when we face dragons and demons and worries and winter, we are empowered to survive, to rise above whatever metamorphosis, whatever pit of despair or anguish, winter brings.
As leaves flutter in the breezy wind that will soon make me gasp, I ponder the philosopher’s question: Could I truly appreciate summer had I never known winter? In this body that feels every nuance of cold, I scream “Absolutely!” Just as I know right from wrong, though the boundaries challenge many in the 21st Century, “Yes!” I don’t need a comparison to cherish the difference.
But then I laugh. Taking things for granted is a human condition I can scarcely escape.
When I am still unbundled and carefree, I enjoy watchingcascading leaves on that perfect autumn Wednesday or Sunday when the day can’t decide if it should be hot or cold and so it climbs up and back down that Fahrenheit scale until my closet is a mishmash of sandals and boots, sleeveless dresses and coats, sweaters and shorts.
In autumn, Ilike the way the glass catches the sun at my window, it’s feigning-friendly ray sneaking into the warm indoors, until its untimely eventide turns–into a blistering chill against my unsuspecting window pane. I even like itthough spiders trail the sun into the nice, warm shadows of my home and spin dusty looking webs.
Autumn is that compromise between extremes, a lesson perhaps, bestowing a leafy, cool reception for winter’s gray and white affliction. It doesn’t sadden me like winter. It just disappears much too quickly.
Nowadays, seasons seem to depart faster than they come, faster than the weather that defines them. Reformed of centuries-old lore: Sun scorches. Leaves fall. Snow pelts. Rain pours. Quoth God’s seasons, “nevermore.”
This prose, these lyrical phrases I’ve written with the vain imagination of emulating my poetic friends, evokes a smile and a recollection of the romantic JohnKeats. His lusty spring, summer nearer heaven, autumn of contentedness, and winter of pale misfeature.
Seasons are the song of the poets. For Keats and his kin, they are metaphors for life. However, seasons, like their defining weather, cycle endlessly. Human seasons are finite. Once we reach what Keats called the pale misfeature of life–brought on, not by sunless days, but by maturity–the spring in our footstep lessens and we move closer to winter’s finale.
Manes and whiskers turn bristly and white, and eyes dim, as the autumn years become wonderful, long-ago memories. Soon, the effortless, anticipated wounds of winter will linger once too long and the curtain on our final encore falls. Goodbye, we say, to loved ones and planet earth.
It makes me sigh andsmile. This juncture in my life is not fearful.
I anticipate it!
If we know Christ, we must never fear seasons of change. Even as breath becomes a whisper that fades into the universe, we are still merely evolving. We get to (yes, it’s a privilege) escape our earthly bodies and embrace a heavenly spirit. At least that’s what I believe.
Like the butterfly fleeing it’s cocoon, untouched as it makes its debut, so God’s grace, that Holy miracle we can scant understand transforms and welcomes earth’s pilgrims as we discard our fleshly cocoon and encounter our eternal home. And like the butterfly, we are liberated, declared by a Holy God to be, not sinless, but guiltless before the Creator who loved us enough to undergo the earthly metamorphosis of seasons for Himself.
In the summer of His life, He died on a cross, ensuring that when our winter expires, it will mark a new and amazing beginning–a heavenly eternity–rather than the end.
Quoth God’s seasons, “Evermore.”
Hey Karyn, I loved this and don’t give up. It touched me forever.
I’m so glad it touched you, Rod. Im not giving up, just like you! xo
WOW – are we on the same page these days! Absolutely beautiful, my friend.
We are on the same page a lot! Holy Spirit, inspired. Thank you for the kind words, Ingrid! xo
Beautifully written… You always pluck my heart strings with your prose,your faithfulness and your love for our Lord. Your gift is an inspiration to us all. I love you sweet, dear friend.
He is worthy of our faithfulness, isn’t He? They are my words, His gift to me, but His inspiration, His gift to you, that pluck your heartstrings, sweet girl. I know you know that. Love you always, Linda.
Beautiful Karyn! I, too, love the fall with its amazing colors and mild temperatures.
Thank you, Carene, for the kind words! Who can’t like fall, right? And spring, too, I think.
Thank you darling gal for sharing your beautiful words. I needed your message today. Karyn, keep on writing and sharing your insights. Love and hugs always
You’re on my heart, Patty! Thank you for your kind words. Keep that beautiful smile coming and know that today and tomorrow hold a promise. Always. Sending you a hug, prayers, and my love…
Those are beautiful words. I always enjoy your way of saying what I feel. Thank you and keep up the great work, using the wonderful talent you have
You are so welcome, Jane! And thank you for the kind words. I’m so glad it captures what you feel. That is music to my ears. xo
I will look at the seasons differently now. Thanks to you sweet gal. God has gifted you and used you with these writings. Keep it up. I do so enjoy .
The Holy Spirit certainly inspired this, Susie, and that’s probably why you see things differently. I’ll be writing until God plucks me off this earth. I’m so glad you enjoy the reads.
What a gift you are with a beautiful purpose from God! As I drove over Fancy Gap Mountain in the morning last week the warmth from God’s fall color spectrum made me feel wrapped in God’s warm embrace. I am prayerful that that feeling and image will remain with me throughout whatever transpires in life and surroundings. Thank you so much for putting into words what many feel and thank you to Carol Gunnoe Howie for making me aware of you and what you are able to provide to all of us. Blessings to you in all your seasons.
Jane, thank you for your beautiful, sweet words. I think, especially when we see His majesty surrounding us, we can more fully feel His magical embrace and warm to His wonder. You have always been such a beautiful, kind soul, someone I remember so fondly, someone I looked up to. I’m so grateful that God used me to touch you this morning. Truly. Shalom, to you always old friend!
Thanks, Karyn. Love that we have reconnected in such a grateful way.
I so agree, Jane. You have such a wonderful way with words. Please know that you fed me as much as I fed you. I’m grateful for that!!
Yes, these seasons of the year are like the seasons of living. You make it seem so effortless, my sweet talented friend as you waltz over words like Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers combined. I must admit thought that I like ‘less’ of that ‘ol’ man’ winter season, like you…living in SC is a nice break from the seemingly never ending winters of the mountains. xoxo love you girl
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Winter! Don’t make me BRRRR. It will not be bad this year, regardless. I am getting myself in that mindset, and with God’s help I can even overcome winter! And, while S.C. is cold, it isn’t chill your brain cold, as you know. It isn’t nestled into a valley where the cold creeps in and overwhelms any goodness gracious warm southern air that might linger. But, thank you for the wonderful compliments– Ginger and Fred effortless! I wonder how much of their life they practiced? Love you, sweet friend, for always championing me! You know it is mutual!! xox
Beautiful Karyn. Thank you, thank you!
Thanks so much, Freddy!!
Thanks, Karyn. I love to read perspectives as eloquently stated as yours. Sometimes I think of these same things and struggle for the words to adequately express them. I guess that’s why I love to read. This is a beautiful account of faith, hope, and assurance that only Christ can supply. I may never see some of you folks again in this life, but I feel confident that I will in the afterlife. Looking forward to your next writing.
This sounds very eloquent to me, George! Thank you for your generous words, friend. I hope we have a reunion and I do get to see you again. But, if not, as you said, we’ll have a heavenly reunion!!
Oh, sooo true, Karyn…the Fall is upon us and soon to disappear leaving only the brown of winter branches! Alas, there is a saving grave here….it is a time of hibernation and reflection that we don’t really want in summer –too much greenery and excitement! Great writing! Chelle
Very insightful, Michelle, as usual. Thank you, darling, for the kind words. It means a lot coming from you.
Karyn what a wonderful post. You amaze me! Keep up the wonderful writing you do! Love ya, Mean it, Cheryl
So glad you liked it, Cheryl. I know you can relate. Love you!