Seasons

It’s funny what I remember as the years go by; the scents, sounds and the sights that evoke memories of my childhood, my adolescence. It’s late September as I am writing this, finding shelter within our screened-in patio in. The sun was shining a few moments ago consuming me with the warmth that summer usually brings, when seemingly out of nowhere the clouds opened up and showered the earth (It is Florida after all). A scent of freshly fallen rain met my nose and reminded me of past spring showers, welcomed wholeheartedly after the chill of winter. The clouds have now hidden the sun away and the cool wind that was rustling through the trees before is now more pronounced on my bare arms and legs. Our gate is creaking back and forth in time with the wind, giving an air of eeriness. It is this combination that convinces me that autumn has begun after all. I just perceived three seasons in less than fifteen minutes, all because of the sights, sounds and scents that prompted memories locked away in my mind.

I have fond recollections of each season…

Springtime brings about the image of blooming flowers, lush green grass, baby animals and all the rest that go with my favourite holiday: Easter. As a child, I did not completely comprehend the significance of Easter as far as my Christian faith is concerned, but as I grew older the importance it had in my heart grew too. It is still nice to look back on all the Easter Egg hunts and family gatherings associated with the holiday, though.

Summer is my favourite season of all, which has got me questioning my ability to rationally think. I am terrified of thunderstorms you see, and when are they most prevalent? Thunderstorms aside, I just love the sunshine! I enjoy those family barbecues where everyone lingers late into the evening, because the sun never seems to set. Family picnics, swinging in the park, walks along the beach, drawing on the front doorstep, day trips, ice-cream stops…the list goes on. Summer evokes some of my best memories. Perhaps it has something to do with me being born in July.

What can I say about Fall? It is not my favourite season by a long stretch but there are many elements I can take in small doses… The slight chill that prompts me to pull out a light sweater, picking out the best pumpkin in the patch, harvest festivals, Thanksgiving and of course the beautiful array of colours the leaves present. They’re fun when they’ve fallen too, all crunchy and in days of old, fun to jump into. My brother and I used to rake them for my Great Grandma. I just don’t like when they get soggy!

Winter? There’s not a whole lot I like about this season, which is one good thing about Florida. I do love snow when it is falling. It is just so pretty. Once it hits the ground, it can be enjoyable. I like sledding and used to love building forts. I never was into the snowball fights or skiing. The frigid temperatures are too much for me to bear, especially since I have been acclimatized to Florida.

I didn't have a particular purpose in writing this. I just wanted to write. Perhaps it will stir some memories for you. Good ones, I hope :)

Sincerely, Melissa

Every Season

sung by Nichole Nordeman

Every evening sky, an invitation

To trace the patterned stars

And early in July, a celebration

For freedom that is ours

And I notice You In children’s games

In those who watch them from the shade

Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder

You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered

To the harvest time

Forfeiting their leaves in late September

And sending us inside

Still I notice You when change begins

And I am braced for colder winds

I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come

You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven

Finally falls asleep

Wrapped in blankets white, all creation

Shivers underneath

And still I notice you

When branches crack

And in my breath on frosted glass

Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter

You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced

Teaching us to breathe

What was frozen through is newly purposed

Turning all things green

So it is with You

And how You make me new

With every season’s change

And so it will be

As You are re-creating me

Summer, autumn, winter, spring

I Can Relate

I made a similar post as this a couple years ago now, but sometimes there is a song or quote that can just express what is going on in your life better than you could ever articulate on your own. The following are snippets from some of my favourite songs at the moment that really make me feel like the songwriters took a glimpse into my heart, while others I can just hear God speaking to me so clearly through...

"You're not alone, for I am here./Let me wipe away your every fear./My love, I've never left your side./I have seen you through te darkest night./And I'm the one whose loved you all your life./All of your life." You're Not Alone~Meredith Andrews

"No power of Hell./No scheme of man./Could ever pluck me from His hand./'Til He returns or calls me home/Here in the power of Christ I'll stand."
In Christ Alone~Adrienne Liesching & Geoff Moore

"I can't believe that I'm here in this place again./How did I manage to mess up one more time?/This pattern seems to be the story of my life./Should have learned this lesson by the thousandth time." On My Own~Barlowgirl

"Dear God, It's me again down here./ Don't wanna sound insincere./ I'm lost, sometimes you're so unclear./ What can I do?/ I'm feeling so far from you." The Way to Begin~Rachael Lampa

"We've had every conversation in the world/ about what is right and what has all gone bad,/ but have I mentioned to you that this is all I am,/ this is all that I have./ I'm not trying to judge you./ That's not my job./ I am just a seeker too, in search of God./ Somewhere somehow this subject became taboo./ I have no other way to communicate to you./ This is all that I am./ This is all that I have." Conversations~Sara Groves

"Do you want to be free?/ Lift your chains, I hold the key./ All power of Heaven and Earth belong to me." Set Me Free~Casting Crowns

"How many roads did I travel, before I walked down one that led me to You?/ How many dreams did unravel, before I believed in a hope that was true?/ How long?/ How far?/ What was meant to fulfill only emptied me still./ And all You ever wanted... Only me on my knees, Singing holy, holy/ And somehow all that matters now is You are holy, holy."
Holy~Nichole Nordeman

"I will stumble./ I will fall down./ But I will not be moved./ I will make mistakes./ I will face heartache./ But I will not be moved./ On Christ the Solid Rock I stand./ All other ground is sinking sand./ I will not be moved!" I Will Not Be Moved~Natalie Grant

"Am I the only one who's traded in the altar for a stage?/ The performance is convincing./ And we know every line by heart./ Only when no one is watching,/ Can we really fall apart."
Stained Glass Masquerade~Casting Crowns

"I was faced with passing time./ But I knew the choice was mine./ To finally come to you and give you all control./ I've wandered miles to find my way./ And then you revealed this simple faith./ I know that you can see the secrets of my soul." Lay Down My Pride~Jeremy Camp

"...He was bleeding from a beating/There were stripes upon his back/ And he wore a crown of thorns upon his head/ And he bore with every step,/ The scorn of those who cried out for his death./ Down the Via Dolorosa called the way of suffering./ Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King./ But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me./ Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to calvary." Via Dolorosa~Sandi Patti

"I feel alone here and cold here./ Though, I don't wanna die./ But the only anesthetic that makes me feel anything kills inside./ I do not want to be afraid./ I do not want to die inside just to breathe in./ I'm tired of feeling so numb./ Relief exists I find it when I am cut." Cut~Plumb

"Sometimes I feel like I'm just existing./ I'm not really living./ I'm only watching the time slip away./ I've forgotten who I am in you./ I'm not who I'm meant to be./ I'm drifting farther away from my destiny." Awaken~Natalie Grant

" 'My precious Son, I hear them screaming./ I'm watching the face of the enemy beaming./ But soon I will clothe You in robes of My own./ Jesus, this hurts Me much more than You know./ But this dark hour I must do nothing./ Though, I've heard Your unbearable cry./ The power in Your blood destroys all of the lies./ Soon You'll see past their unmerciful eyes./ Look there below, see the child trembling by her father's side./ Now I can tell You why./ She is why You must die.' "
Why~Nichole Nordeman

"I wanna set the world on fire./ Until it's burning bright for You./ It's everything that I desire./ Can I be the one You use?/ I, I am small but You, You are big enough./ I, I am weak but You, You are strong enough to take my dreams, come and give them wings./ Lord with You There's nothing I can not do./ Nothing I cannot do." Set the World on Fire~Britt Nicole

"Somewhere in the silence, I can hear your broken voice./ Like a radio station fading out of range./ Somewhere in the crowd from the corner of my eye, I thought that I could feel you- walking by./ And when I get this feeling like I am not so strong, I still can feel you with me./ Yeah, you've been there all along." When I Fall~Rachael Lampa

"I've had enough of living life for only me./ And reaching just for the things that keep destroying me." Psalm 73 (My God's Enough)~Barlowgirl feat. Todd Agnew

"Live today through the future's lens./ Don't wanna wish you could rewind and play it again./ Stand up write the soundtrack for your life./ It doesn't happen to you, you happen to life./ Stand up, do something with your light./ It doesn't happen to you, you happen to life."
Stand Up~Superchick