Seasons of Change

This past week my calendar read….First day of Autumn!

Ahhhh Fall…one of my favorite seasons of the year.   This month we finally experienced some relief from our HOT, HOT summer temperatures but in typical fashion the thermometer started inching upward on Thursday just as I was ready for soup on the dinner table, a fire in the fireplace and crisp cool sweater weather.

Living in Northern California we get a few more “signs” that it is truly fall than do my So Cal friends but nothing near the cool weather or brilliant colors on the landscape of those living in the northeast.  But despite the 90+ temperatures and air conditioning running full blast this week I “created” our personal change of season.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies made in honor of the beginning of fall…delicious!

The newest chore chart gets a fall makeover!

Colorful fall flowers always make you feel in the season

Pumpkin Spice Latte’s at Starbucks – fall must be here!

Our annual trip to Apple Hill the last Friday of September ushers in the fall season for the Lambdins

and one of my favorite fall activities – Friday night football games!

Yes, I love the fall!  I actually love each change of season with all its fresh new weather, landscapes, decor, colors, food and activities.  Isn’t God good? Just as the current season begins to lose some of its luster and appeal  He ushers in a brand new season that seems to bring with it a new energy and outlook on life.  I am sure many of you are nodding your head in agreement as you are beginning to enjoy the delights of this new fall season.

And yet….

I also am aware of how many people seem to resist change in general.  Of course no one welcomes change that brings sorrow, pain or hardship to life and we all eagerly embrace change that involves love, happiness or our well being. But I hear folks of all ages and all walks of life gripe, complain and whine when a simple change seems to be heading their way. We easily become “creatures of habit” comfortable in the “sameness” of our lives.  We get use to doing things a certain way and often do not think “outside the box” to investigate new or different ways of thinking or getting things done.  We also often try to live our lives according to the cultural “norm” we find all around us and even look down upon anyone who does things in a different way.  Or we simply just get into a rut of living…carrying on in the same mundane fashion day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year.

Then on the other side of the coin…there are those who say they want change in their life but are not willing to do anything differently to bring about that change.  Whether it is a change needed in a relationship, job situation, physical health habits or social situation we often simply carrying on in a difficult situation or unhealthy pattern rather than instituting necessary changes in our lives

Albert Einstein once said “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”.  How many of us if we were honest would be, by this definition, considered insane at times?

Do you need to make a change in your life? (I know a few areas in my life that are in need of a change!)

Take a moment to evaluate areas of your life that may need a change

• Do you need to make a change in a relationship to make it better or bring it to an end?
• Do you need to make a job or career change?
• Do you need to change your financial status or spending patterns?
• Do you need to become more purposeful in your parenting or change your discipline methods for your children?
• Do you need to make a change in your eating habits or physical exercise routine (or non routine)?
• Do you need to make changes in your character or spiritual life? 
• What other areas of your life may need a change?

Why not sit down with a piece of fresh apple pie along with a hot cup of coffee and take the time to write down the change you desire in your life at this time along with a few ideas of ways to make it happen.

Secondly maybe you are in a season of change in your life as we currently are in. (if you missed our newest adventure – you can read about it here – https://bethlambdin.net/2010/09/04/to-life-to-life-lchaim/)  Maybe you have recently moved to a new city, taken a new job or become unemployed.  Some are experiencing an empty nest for the first time. Others lives have been turned upside down by the arrival of a new baby. Perhaps you are newly single through death or divorce.  I know of many who have recently lost a loved one and will be walking through their first fall and upcoming holiday season with a piece of their heart missing.

Is it the time to embrace this season of change that is upon you?  Do you need to take a deep breath and look around at the new opportunities on the horizon that change inevitably brings to us?  Do you need to hear a fresh word from the Lord and to rest in His trusted arms during this season of change?

In these upcoming weeks as we watch the spectacular season of summer fade away and change into the delights of the fall let it remind us to both make the changes we need to move forward in our lives and as many of us are doing at this time – embrace a new season of life and look for its own unique beauty and special blessings.

Off to make some yummy apple dump cake with the delicious apples we got at the hill yesterday!