Seasons

For the past few days, it's been warm, spring-like weather. Today, the forecast is for ice and snow and sleet.

As I ran this morning, pondering the forecast, I thought to myself, "What season is this, anyway?" It was as though Spring, Fall, and Winter were swirling around me.

I recently read a statement that middle Tennessee was a great place to live because we truly got to experience all four seasons. And, as a runner, we get the good (and the bad!) of each of those:

Summer is great because there is fifteen hours of light a day; you can always fit in a run between 5:30 am and 9:00 pm! On the other hand, if you try to run in the middle of the day in the summer, you just might melt from the inside out.

Fall is amazing because so many of the days are perfect for running. Not too hot, not too cold, beautiful scenery. I actually struggle to think of a negative about fall, other than mourning over the shortening of days.

Winter is my favorite running season because sweating is not the issue it is in the summer: you don't feel like your clothes have been dipped in a lake when you finish! Snow running is one of the most peaceful experiences on earth, and if you put on too many clothes for a run you've created the game of "Where did I stash the gloves?" on your return trip. Unfortunately, winter running creates much more laundry and has much less sunlight!

Spring is like a breath of fresh air, waking your senses and making you look at your running routes with new eyes. The layers aren't as thick and running in the rain is actually more fun than it sounds. Unfortunately, it's also the season when bugs and pollen show up on every run, as well. :(

Our seasons of running aren't limited to the four seasons of weather, though. We also have seasons that don't have anything to do with the temperature. As an example, I considered the different seasons of running I've experienced in the past 20 years:

The new-runner season, when each run was monumental, leaving me exhausted, sore, and ready to puke or quit. (Sometimes both!)
The social season, when I ran with a good friend every morning regularly.
The competitive season, when I trained seriously and ran my fastest.
The relaxing season, when running was my refuge and my peace.
The I-didn't-run-for-four-years season, when my kids were small and I found napping WAY more important than running :)
The reflective season, which I'm now in, where I run to clear my mind and talk to God.

Like this Tennessee weather, these seasons weren't totally isolated or partitioned. They overlapped, ran together, and one would lead into the other.  But there was one constant: I LOVED RUNNING. Regardless of the season or the weather or the life that was going on around me, running was always there. In making this list, I look back on the different seasons with affection, for each season was precious to me.

So as we find ourselves in the midst of changing--or overlapping--seasons, let's take time to reflect on our seasons as Christians:

The new-Christian season, where everything was so new and exciting.
The deep Bible Study season, where you made time to dig deeply in to Scripture.
The I-need-you season, where your church family carried you through difficulty.
The I'm-here-for-you season, where you were in a position to do the carrying.
The "Why?" season, where life just didn't make sense or seem fair.
The "Where?" season, where God led you to a new place.
The water-treading season, where you felt like you just might drown.

These seasons won't be totally isolated or partitioned. They'll overlap, run together, and one will lead into the other. But there is one constant: the love of Christ. Regardless of the season or what's going on around you, He is there and He draws you to Himself. I pray we have the grace one day to look back on each of these seasons with affection, not for the struggles but for the Savior who loved and carried us through them.

Leslie Hudson