I was moved yesterday by the thread of endings I see being woven between me and the lives of my friends. Initially, I was saddened and discouraged. As I pondered over the uncertainty of what's to come for each of us and dwelling on the feelings of anxiety that were stirring, God brought a breeze by and I was startled by the unexpected sweet aroma that came forth from what I was perceiving to be a messy life filled with poor decisions and ungodly guidance. The scent serving as a sifter, removed from my heart the scales of fear and doubt, allowing me to see the truth of what was brewing: a hope and a future. Rarely do I enter Autumn with a heart preparing to end or close something, despite its poetic symbolism. I generally embrace it with anticipation of a maturing love, deeper conversations and new relationships. However, this time, as I recall an ending God has been leading me to for years, and the ending of other seasons around me in my friends' lives, like a marriage and a community, I am inspired by the hope I have been pouring into others. That is the beauty of Autumn isn't it? That although all things have a timeline, a beginning and an end, and change is inevitable, there is still much beauty to be had. I am not sure what you are losing, what end is taking place in your life, but there is an intoxicating beauty coming your way, that has been eagerly awaiting for your presence and full attention. An evolved you? A new relationship? A new community? A new career? An forgotten interest or dream? All of which that may look different now with sifted eyes because it carries the strengths, the weakening weaknesses and essence of you that this ending season was too insufficient to endure. So be encouraged everyone and prepare yourselves for the season of a lifetime! Your story just got interesting! There is so much more to come.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens..." Ecclesiastes 3:1