As we step into Fall I can’t help but think of all my favorite things. Cooler weather, bonfires, the leaves changing color, and EVERYTHING pumpkin! Yes, I’m that girl. I had never even bought a coffee from a coffee shop until someone introduced me to Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte a few years ago. Since then I’ve probably spent enough money on coffee to send one of my kids to college! But, as the season changes, it also reminds me of one of my favorite verses, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

 For everything there is a season,
    a time for every activity under heaven.
 A time to be born and a time to die.
    A time to plant and a time to harvest.
 A time to kill and a time to heal.
    A time to tear down and a time to build up.
 A time to cry and a time to laugh.
    A time to grieve and a time to dance.
 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
    A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
 A time to search and a time to quit searching.
    A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
    A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
 A time to love and a time to hate.
    A time for war and a time for peace.

This year has been one of the craziest, most unexpected years of our lives. We waltzed into January thinking “2020 is going to rock! So many holidays are on the weekend! So many new, exciting things to look forward to! It’s the year of clear vision!” Then the pandemic hit. A shock of reality that slapped us in the face all across the world. It’s been a time to cry for the lives lost from Covid-19. A time to grieve about all the beautiful trees and land that has been destroyed by wildfires and hurricanes. A time for hate with all the racial injustice we see on the news and social media. A time for war against two political parties. A time to search for someone to lead our country over the next 4 years. One thing after the other keeps punching us right in the gut. When will it stop? When will we get back to normal? Will we EVER get back to normal? But, I saw a quote the other day that struck me. God has not been surprised by anything that has happened in 2020. Even though we have seen things we never thought we’d see, God knew. In the midst of all the hate and sadness, there is also a time to laugh with close family and friends. A time to dance in the living room with your kids. A time to show love to people who are different than you. A time for peace among a country that seems to be falling apart. I believe in the love that Jesus Christ showed to EVERYONE. I believe that even in the bad, there is good. I believe that this year will be one to remember and I hope it’s the year that turned many people to Christ Jesus. For in our weakness, he is strong.

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11

I hope as we move into the last quarter of 2020 we all remember the one who loves us all. The one who shows us grace. The one and only, Christ Jesus.