Finding God’s Faithfulness in the Changing Seasons 
I love the fall. The weather starts to cool down. I get to start wearing fun clothes and layering colors. I love watching the autumn leaves turn and fall while I’m running trails in the crisp, cool air. God certainly has a way of using the changing seasons to remind us of the changes and transitions in our own lives.
Parenting Children Through Different Seasons of Life
With four boys in various stages of life, I feel like I’m going on my own personal color tour this fall. Currently, my oldest son, now 22, is transitioning into adult life after graduating from college. He is looking for a job and learning how to navigate adulthood. My second son, 20, is heading back to Grand Valley State University. He’s navigating new friendships, choices, and opportunities.
My third is now 18 and heading off to Michigan State University as a freshman in the business school—this is completely new territory, full of adventure. Finally, my youngest is now 13 and starting eighth grade. We are in the madness of middle school!
Learning to Let Go While Keeping Our Children Close
These children are all changing and falling from my tree, so to speak—drifting off into the wilderness of life and growing lives of their own. Their colors are beautiful, and I’m savoring these moments.
I often feel like I’m back in elementary school with a leaf collection, trying to identify things, learn from them, and appreciate the diversity of what I find. It’s also difficult to keep up or decipher all of their needs—to know what’s best for each unique child and circumstance.
Yet, as any parent knows, I’m still collecting those leaves, keeping those children close—trying to press them and protect them while the winds of life blow them around. I also know I can’t hold onto them forever. But I can look at their beautiful colors, listen to their needs, and point them back to the Lord when they need guidance.
When We Can’t Hold On, We Can Hold Onto Our Faith
So many changes can feel overwhelming. I may not be able to perfectly preserve and hold onto every leaf, but I can always hold onto one thing: my faith—my God.
He always has His children in His care. They are His children first, and He will always be with them even when I can’t be. After all, I only hold them for a season, but He has them forever.
Staying Rooted in Faith Through Difficult Seasons
I’ve been a single mom for the past two years, but I have never been alone. God has been faithful through some treacherous storms. He has poured His love into me, and I’m shining even brighter now because of His goodness.
Seasons change, but when you keep your roots deep in God, you don’t simply survive—you thrive. Keep your roots strong by staying close to God’s Word daily, journaling your thoughts, seeking godly wisdom through relationships, and remaining consistent in prayer.
I am not perfect, but I do my best to model these practices in my own life—humbly, consistently, and intentionally.
Scripture on God’s Faithfulness Through Every Season
A couple of Bible verses that resonate with me during this season are:
Psalm 1:2–3 (NIV)
“But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”
Psalm 145:17 (NIV)
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.”
Living With Open Hands and Trusting God With What Comes Next
I’m living my life with open hands, watching the colors and leaves change, with faith that they will prosper. I encourage you to do the same.
I love the fall, and I pray that you, too, see the beauty of the Lord’s faithfulness in this season.
