As the roses fade in my garden they are replaced by the vibrant color and smell of chrysanthemums. As the warm breezes of summer give way to the cooler temperatures of autumn, I am reminded of God’s faithfulness in all of the seasons. I am not a person who necessarily looks forward to the winter season of snow and a frozen ground in my garden but I do realize God’s purpose for this season as the earth lies in stillness and coldness. This frozen ground is necessary for my bulbs to sprout and bloom in the spring. Winter is a season of hidden internal work both in nature and in our hearts.

Contemplating the coming season of winter the Lord dropped this word in my heart to help me understand the reason for my spiritual winter times when my faith is almost stripped naked of hope as my skeleton white birch trees are stripped of their leaves.

“Every season of your life has its own spring/ to sow; summer/ to water; fall/ to reap; followed by winter. The winter is a time of hidden dormancy on the surface, but oh! under the surface what preparation is going on to burst to life in the spring!

 This time of dormancy and darkness without any fruit, is when you must walk by faith and trust my hand to be working in My sovereignty under the surface, to bring beauty to your life in the spring! Be prepared for the spring, child! You trust me with the seasons of the earth, now trust me with the seasons of your life!”

                                                              Thus saith Papa

Eccl 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Challenge: As you admire the awesome splendor of the fall color and foliage, or the beauty of the first snow fall decorating the branches of your evergreen trees,  remember who the Artist is! That same Artist is working on the canvas of your life!