A New Season

 It's the last night before my dear sister moves out. It's also my other dear sister and my brother-in-law's wedding anniversary, and his birthday. Today marks the first day of school, online, and I can't help but think of a year ago anticipating what would happen, and waiting for an outcome with my job. Now a year later, so much looks different, but I can see a lot of growth and graces amidst the changes and transitions. 

Yes, transitions are a part of life. Now it is summer and pretty soon the layers of the sun will peel into Fall, a Libra sun and golden and orange leaves and the year will be slowly wrapping up. I can admit that I am looking forward to the next season not just in terms of the calendar year but also the next phase in the journey.

As I was exiting the church this afternoon, I couldn't help but notice the magnolia trees outside, and how they no longer had their white flowers blooming, beautiful for all to see. I forgot that by August they go back to their 'regular' look and it wont be until next spring when they will show off their 'perfume' once again. I love these trees and my dear sister knows how much. She recently gave me a card with a picture of them with a very endearing, meaningful and special message. I see these white flowers as a sign of hope.

 But now with these white blossoms no longer present, it makes me see hope and God's ways in a new light. I see hope not absent completely, but rather growing silently, progressively, mysteriously hidden. These flowers are now gone and this next season of growth and transition aren't absent of hope and joy nor bleak with running colors of gray like a water color piece. I see this next season as a season of trust and confidence, continual hope even if I can no longer see the white flowers, even if it will look differently and won't necessarily be easy. God is still at work, though it is hidden and mysterious, it is still beautiful. 

This stillness, silence, solitude is all what I am learning about in the book I am reading called 'The Power of Silence' by Cardinal Robert Sarah. Silence is the way God speaks and how He moves and works. It is through silence that He communicates and how we hear Him. I find the points and reflections in this book to be awe inspiring and full of meaning, depth and introspection. It allows you to reflect and think about the Presence of silence and the presence inside of you.

And relying on this Presence, God is allowing me to trust more in everything else that feels very difficult, bitter and confusing. I felt drawn to a bracelet while browsing a Christian store, and the verse on it Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things in Him who strengthens me." And it just so happened to be this same verse that my dear sister wrote on a pouch for Christmas. This verse also helped me a lot when I was going through a rough time earlier this spring with my sleep, and I wrote it near my bed so I would see it. And it will provide consolation now as this next season awaits to begin, a new journey, a new adventure.

Another form of consolation was seeing the Tuesday prayer to St. Anthony of Padua. I thought it was very relevant in what I was going through. "St. Anthony, you were challenged by change and new experiences so many times in the course of your life. Help me not to be afraid of the changes that will take place in my own life and to realize that by dealing with them I will grow in faith."

As transitions and changes happen, prayer and seeking that consolation is very helpful. What also helps me is delving into creative projects, thoughts, and goals. I still need to keep my mind busy and somewhat active, hopeful for the future and inspired with possibilities and ideas. For God knows what I need, how I am made and the plan for what is ahead.