Ruminating on things that don’t really matter is one of my specialties. Why do they continue making Indiana Jones movies when the first was clearly unbeatable? Why are the jokes on Laffy Taffy packages so lame? And whatever happened to Mikey, the Life Cereal kid who would eat anything?

Last night I stood on Davis Island at Lake Alma State Park examining the slow progressing fall foliage. To study the foliage from the island is a pretty unremarkable experience right now. You can sense fall is near with the aroma of leaves and the feel of a slight crispness in the air. You just can’t see it in the colors of the tree canopy overhead. 

Go to the other shore and look back and it’s a much different experience. From this perspective you can see spots of color starting to show. 

This a great metaphor for life. After all, when you’re too close to a subject it’s easy to lose perspective. It’s easy to not notice your progress or the slight changes happening right beneath your nose or over your head. It’s also easy to lose context, to lose faith, hope and the sense of self you need to continue through tough times. 

I have a friend who is going through some incredibly difficult times. Her life’s season has changed and not in a good way. Life has become overwhelming, confusing and discouraging. I reminded her this week that she has been through difficult times in the past and that she’s smarter, tougher and more resilient than she can remember right now. 

It’s the season of life she’s in. It won’t last forever but it will go on far too long. She will adapt and overcome these challenges and will someday wake up to find herself in an easier season. For now, she’s doing better than she thinks and I’m certain that she will be ok. 

Seasons change. I hope my friend will remember this and will give herself the grace she needs to be where she is right now.