Each season offers something uniquely wonderful. Few things are lovelier than pine or fir flocked white from an evening snow on a clear and crisp winter's morn. Spring provides the awesome portrait of new life: blades, buds and blossoms. Summer's offerings are long warm days to enjoy family outings (and to wear out energetic children) plus cool comfortable nights. Fall arrives with a bit of chill in the morning air and just a splash of color here and there. Then fall explodes like fireworks with a spectacular show of rich colors set in picture perfect weather. Fall is fantastic!
Solomon observed that "there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven." There is the spring of youth. These are years of rapid growth, development and learning. These are largely playful and carefree years. There are summer years of higher education, career, marriage and family. These are productive and rewarding years. The fall of life is colorful. The years are golden. These are years spent treasuring friends and family, especially grandchildren!
In the fall people slow their pace and reflect upon the goodness of God and the richness of life. The spiritual far outweighs the material in the years of fall. Fall is not afraid of winter.
Though winters may be harsh, the snow of winter is no shroud. Rather it is a beautiful blanket of purity's white. For the Christian, winter is simply the onset of spring. Paul writes, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain."
While I'm waiting for winter, I'll love living in the fall. How about you?
• The Rev. Ken Haskins is pastor of First Christian Church in Carson City.t