It’s fall in Virginia which means- it’s planting season! So, let’s plant a tree!

As the seasons change, the tree we plant will be impacted by the changes. Do you know how to help the tree to survive?

Trees aren’t the only ones to be impacted by the seasons. We too go through seasons in our lives. As we look at how to help trees survive each season, let’s look at how we can help ourselves to survive each season too.

FALL – THE SEASON TO SHED

Fall brings warm soil, cool air and abundant rain. Great conditions for a tree to establish a good root system for storing nutrients before winter.¹

Aww, but as we all know; it is also a time to shed.

Those beautiful, vibrant leaves that capture our attention don’t last. Eventually, down come the leaves and out come the rakes! As you rake leaves remember; losing leaves helps prepare and protect the tree during the harsh winter! To help your tree survive, strengthen its roots by planting it in fertile soil where it will get plenty of warm sunlight and rain.

What about our fall season? For us it’s a time to shed too.

Just like fall brings attention to leaves with brilliant colors, God brings attention to negative things that hold us back from doing God’s will or deepening our relationship with Him. Then it’s time to shed! Shedding those things from our hearts and lives prepares and protects us against life’s harsh winters.

Planting God’s Word in a fertile heart and watering it with His Word and light, allows us to establish stronger roots of faith. This helps us to survive the shedding season and prepares us for winter.

Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 (TLV)

WINTER – THE SEASON TO HOLD ON

Now it’s the season for the tree to hold on, or in tree language- be dormant. Winter survival starts in the fall as the tree simply holds on, living off the nutrients stored in its roots. These nutrients are used to keep it in good health and make it less susceptible to the trauma of winter’s ice, snow and wind. ¹

How about the winter of our lives? Perhaps our winter is a season of rest, a dormancy when our usual activities are slowed down. Perhaps the winter is harsher; in other words, we are just holding on. Have you ever had those times when you feel you are just holding on to make it through the day?

Like a tree uses the nutrients stored in its roots to face winter’s trauma,
when we have our roots in Jesus, we can face winter too.

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

SPRING –A SEASON OF NEW BEGINNINGS!

Spring is a time of rebirth and new beginnings. A time to flourish! Things that looked stark and bleak in the winter are now green and growing. Trees react to the increased light producing new leaves, blossoming flowers and abundant fruit! New bark emerges that protects the tree. Roots soak in more nutrients and water. Spring survival is easy! Just continue ensuring the tree has plenty of water and light. ¹

For us, spring is also a time of new beginnings.
It is a time to leave the bleak winter behind and soak in more of God.

We not only survive but we flourish and grow as we react to the increase of light from God’s Word. Our faith becomes a strong shield protecting us like the new bark protects the tree. We bear the fruit of the Spirit and see the abundance of a life filled with God.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17

SUMMER – A SEASON OF LIGHT

During those long, sunlit summer days, a tree’s leaves absorb lots of chlorophyll. Remember that stuff? It helps produce nutrients for the tree. The nutrients are used daily to promote life but are also stored in the roots in preparation for winter. A dry summer stresses the tree out! So keep the watering can handy! ¹

During our season of light, as we absorb more of God’s Word, we increase the light of our understanding.

We see how to apply His Word in our daily life and store up that knowledge for our winter seasons. If we have a stressful summer, we just water ourselves with more of God’s Word.

The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130

For everything there is a season. How about you? What season are you in now?

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, And a time to die;
A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;
 A time to kill, And a time to heal;
A time to break down, And a time to build up;
A time to weep, And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain, And a time to lose;
A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
A time to tear, And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;
A time to love, And a time to hate;
A time of war, And a time of peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Whatever season we are in, there is always hope through our loving Lord.  He is prepared for every season, whether we are or not. By God’s mercies, we can begin every day anew.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.
 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

REFLECTION

What season are you in? What can you do to increase your faith in this season?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father as I write Lamentations 3:22-23 and say it aloud, help me to receive Your mercies to start anew today. Give me a fertile heart to plant Your Word, the light of understanding and strong roots to grow my faith in You. In Jesus name, Amen.

Whichever season we are in, with faith, Jesus will get us through

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May your day be filled with love and laughter!

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1 various tree service sites
Fall photo by Annie Nyle, unsplash
Spring photo, free photos, pixabay
Winter photo by Ali Inay, unsplash
Summer photo, public domain, pixabay