I love the long days of summer, so I’m always sorry to see the daylight getting shorter. 

Bike rides, walks and gardening become less and less doable before and after work hours. I am trying to adjust my attitude, even though I am not too happy about it. Seasons come and go whether we like it or not, so we might as well look for ways to make peace with it and be happy regardless of the season. 

One thing I will try to do as summer slips away is look for opportunities that fall affords. What are aspects of the new season I can embrace and enjoy, such as the beautiful tree colors? I am definitely happy about football season, so I have a start on my list of things to be grateful for in the new season. 

Adjusting to changing seasons is good training ground for the rest of life. Life is a long series of changes. Adaptability is crucial if we are to avoid the crippling effects of anxiety and grief, and even depression, that can result from major life changes.

At my age, I feel like summer is beginning to slip into the fall of life. I will need to find new things in the future to replace some of the former things where I have found joy and fulfillment. It is helpful that we have grandkids. I look forward to watching them grow through their school years. I expect to be involved in things I enjoy at church for a long time, even after I retire in a few years. Who knows, maybe we will jump on a bus tour with some friends.

I’ve heard it said many times that aging is not for the faint of heart. I have had the opportunity to walk alongside many people traveling the latter seasons of life, and the ones who seem the happiest are characterized by adaptability. They have learned to roll with the punches and adjust to new circumstances in realistic ways. This skill is developed with practice.

Another key seems to be faith. Having hope can get you through even the toughest times. The best source of hope I know is trusting that the One who demonstrated power over death in His resurrection is more than capable of keeping His promises He made about new life with Him beyond this current life. Like looking forward to fall colors or holiday celebrations in winter, I can look forward to discovering new joys in the next season of life — and so can you.

We read in Isaiah 43:19 these words from God: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

When you find letting go of the past difficult — as we all do — remember to look for the new things that God is doing. We can be grateful that God who loves us will always walk with us into and through those next seasons. 

Even confronted by failing health, loss of loved ones, and other tremendous challenges, we can find encouragement in the truth proclaimed in Psalm 46:1-3. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

In the changing seasons of life, I encourage you to find the beauty and embrace the new opportunities. May God grant you the grace to adapt and enjoy the journey with Him. 

Jeff Fugitt is the pastor of Cassville United Methodist Church, located at 601 Gravel Street in Cassville. He may be reached at 417-847-2328 or [email protected].