I will trust You

The soothing warmth of the summer air, 

and her spicy, joyful fragrances of freedom 

are conflicting with more sultry, sobering flavors of Autumn; 

there is something changing, shifting. 

Summer's youthful abandon and contagious elation are being steadied 

by the stirrings of wise old Winter, 

who's slumber is drawing to an end. 

It is time to put away foolish revelry, and pay attention 

to the lessons we must learn. 

While Summer energetically encouraged and inspired, 

Winter now cautions with a fatherly wisdom, urging us to use prudence, 

to take note. "You must understand what is to be learned - the things that must be borne, and matured." He gently admonishes. 

While summer taught us abundance, Winter warns us of sacrifice. 

And patient, faithful endurance.   

His movement infuses the merry air with sharper, 

more acute scents of wood smoke and cinnamon - 

inciting caution in the eager breast of Summer; 

Earth pauses...   
Waiting.

[A trickle of fire smoke rises into the fading afternoon sky; 

people are hurrying home earlier, as dusk descends, and cold awakens. 
Leaves are slowly being stained a deep, burnt amber, 

falling sparks of fire from the trees.

Like cinders,  they fall,  carpeting the ground in burning Colour.]   

It is time for season's change. 

And suddenly, the changing seasons flood my heart with memories 

of old, of childhood - wrapping up warm, staying safe and sound inside, 

dreaming into the embers of a dying fire... 

With my fingers wrapped around a steaming mug of something delicious, 

I knew no other life than to be loved and protected. 

But a time came when that safety was shattered, 

a young heart was left exposed, and wounded. 

Too soon I became acquainted with pain, and sacrifice, and loss...  

Summer doesn't last forever. 

Now, there is a lonesome edge to the cold.

Maybe a shift in the seasons - as summer fades and winter advances - 

reminds me of those things;  and for a moment,

my heart is hollowed by the loss. 

I yearn to go home once more, to be - just once - a child again, 

to know the comfort of my Father's arms.

And yet I know now, that without Winters, I will never grow to maturity. 

I won't learn the great lengths YOU went to -

all You gave up,

for us. 

For You love us most:
Your love is surest, and deepest, and strongest.

So I will trust you.

I remember the things you have done; 

Your promise - to be with me always, even to the end of the age - 

and my heart takes courage within me. 

For I remember that You have called me yours, and You are Good.

Though sacrifice ensues, I know that Your grace is enough. 

Teach me to thank you - to bring a sacrifice of praise.

For YOU are my God, and my Hope, and my Salvation, 

and you have carried me thus far. 

When I was young, and broken with pain, 

you comforted me, and clothed me in Peace; 

You revealed Your beauty to my ragged soul, and surrounded me. 

I was abandoned, but You held me close. 

I was wounded, yet you healed me. 
I was ashamed, and you covered me. 

YOU are my help, and my refuge in times of trouble. 

You know all things, and you know what to do.   
You are the only one who keeps your promise forever, 
your Word is unchanging.    

Though time keeps moving, and the sun must rise and set; 

though ocean tides are always turning, and seasons will not stop changing, 

though I may lose something I love, or have found safety in; 

things that, in my own understanding, I need - 

may I lose them in order to gain You. 

Because You are the same yesterday, today and forever,  
And those who put their Trust in you shall never be disappointed.