Lisa Notes: A change of seasons

Has it been so long ago since 12 weeks of playing with God in the yard?

Winter turns into spring.
Spring turns into summer.
Summer has turned into fall.

What have I turned into?

Seeds grow shoots.
Shoots grow flowers.
Flowers a-plenty grow beauty.

What have I grown?

Frigid followed by mild.
Mild followed by hot.
Hot followed now by just right.

What follows for me?

~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~

Counting graces after delighting with God in the autumn yard:

# 397—408
     ...sunflowers in full bloom
     ...less watering required
     ...cooler temperatures

     ...yellows
     ...greens
     ...pinks

     ...crunchy leaves
     ...blooming bougainvillea
     ...swingside views

     ...God who changes the seasons
     ...God who changes me
     ...God who stays the same

* * *

Linking with 1000 Gifts and Playdates at The Wellspring and one word at a time and On, In, and Around Mondays

Related:

What you can learn in the yard with God
5 To-Do’s from God in the Yard (read L. L. Barkat’s book!)

How have you changed since the beginning of the year?
What’s next for you this fall?

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laura · 705 weeks ago

I love these photos, Lisa. They definitely make me want to play outside. Did you know that it was my time with God in the Yard that inspired my Playdates posts? I was talking with L.L. on the phone and she encouraged me to do it. It's been such an amazing blessing. Opens my eyes in so many ways. But how have I changed? I think the best way is I have my hope back this year. Last year was a hard one. And I'm getting better at slowing and noticing. Always a work in progress.

1 reply · active 705 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 705 weeks ago

Laura,
No, I didn't realize it was L.L.'s book that prompted Playdates, but it makes perfect sense! I'm so glad you followed through with that inspiration.

"Slowing and noticing" - something I'm still working on too. For months I kept a sticky note on my dresser "Do it slow" to remind me.
My recent post A change of seasons

Cris Ferreira · 705 weeks ago

Lisa, what a beautiful post! In a few words you made me reflect about the last season of my life, and how God is changing a lot of things. As you said, He wants to changes us, because He loves us, He wants us to be like Jesus. And we can trust Him because He himself never changes.
Beautiful!
My recent post Time for a change

Cris,
Yes, God definitely has you in a change of seasons right now. It will be interesting to see what happens next. I admire your faith to step out like you are. We can never go wrong when we trust him with such changes, the perfect unchangeable One.

flowingfaith 4p · 705 weeks ago

Great questions! As seasons change there is time for self-reflection and deep prayer. Thanks for pointing all of us to the right direction. Blessings to you!

For different reasons, I think fall probably puts me more into the reflective mode than any other season. Perhaps it’s because I love summer so much. ;-) But God is good to give us all kinds of prompts to keep turning our faces back to him.

katdish · 705 weeks ago

Beauty found in all seasons if we're paying attention. Thanks.
My recent post The perfect seasoning

Exactly. And I love how different people have different favorites among the seasons. It helps me enjoy fall more when I listen to others who enjoy it best. “Paying attention” is always so key, to what we see God doing with our own eyes but also through the eyes of others. Yet another reason to value our Christian community!

Helen 82p · 705 weeks ago

This is so beautifully written.
It is so hard for us to see ourselves as we really are, isn't it?
My recent post Seasonal Fruit

Yes it is hard, Helen. And sometimes when I see myself through the eyes of another (say, a teenage daughter!), I don’t always like what I see.

I wonder how we’d see ourselves if we could see through the Lord’s eyes. Covered up with so much love that we’d be blinding?

nance marei · 705 weeks ago

and those beautiful sunflowers make seeds for birds and for new plants.
My recent post seasons

tinuviel · 705 weeks ago

This is a good challenge. I'm stronger physically than at the beginning of the year, but I'm not sure if there's commensurate spiritual progress. Rejoicing with you in the cooler temperatures and lower watering need. The grass here is greener with the cooler temps even though the drought has not improved. Fall feels melancholy to me, but it was my grandmother's favorite. God bless you, friend!
My recent post Channels of Adoration

floyd · 705 weeks ago

You do seem to ask the tough questions. What am I turning into? Hopefully blooming like a flower - not a weed... Good one...
My recent post MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL