Changing Seasons

Yesterday was beautiful outside. I was on a golf course in Findlay (no, my team didn't win the Pastor's Masters Golf Tournament - Addison Sterling's team did - CONGRATS!) Anyway, the skies were clear, the sun was shinning, I was warm . . . and then the sun went down, the air froze, and I was faced with the reality that Autumn was upon us.

For all the summer fans out there, I'm sorry to say, the seasons are changing. Here at Dayspring, the seasons of ministry are changing as well with the search for the new senior pastor winding down. Soon, we will have a new leader with new vision ready to help Dayspring with the changing of seasons.

I recently went through a changing of seasons in my life. I guess as you would have to look at the last 2 years as a time frame to understand this. Amanda and I used to enjoy quiet nights together playing games, watching movies, talking into the late hours of the evening. We even managed to do this with Annie being 4 yrs. old. We could jump in the car and go get ice cream or visit at a friend's house or shop (yes, I actually enjoy shopping).

However, on Labor Day 2005, we found out that Kaitie was on her way. Shortly after Kaitie was born, Nash decided he wanted to join the family. Now we have 3 kids, 2 under the age of 2 and the quiet nights have turned into exhausting days of changing diapers, feeding babies, laundry, cleaning, etc. We never have a dull moment in the Valantine home. It's a new season. It's a fun, exciting season, but also difficult and challenging.

So what do you do when the seasons change and you have to adapt? You adapt. You can't fight it. You have to roll with the punches and live every day to the fullest for God. I love my kids. I have the best wife in the world and thank God for her always. Do I get to do as many things for myself as I want? No. Do I get to sleep as much as I want. No. Is life hard at times? Yes.

The seasons have changed for Amanda and me. I could get upset and pout because I don't get as much "me time" as I used to have or because I have to change another dirty diaper, or could make the most of each day realizing that God has blessed us with 3 beautiful children who need discipled, trained, and loved.

I could pout because we don't have a senior pastor at Dayspring and talk bad about the church, or I could work hard, draw closer than ever to God, and serve Him each day with all of my heart and a good attitude.

What season has changed for you? What approach have you taken?

Learn to embrace the changes that happen in your life!