Seasons
Living in the Northern Hemisphere gives the opportunity to witness apparent changes in the seasons. In Autumn most of the trees become bear, some very sturdy and some very fragile....yet they all have the same story to tell. Take time to look at the trees that lined your street or the park or in your yard and watch the changes that are taking place.
Our lives also have its correspondence in nature... as a baby fragile... needing care; as we grow into adulthood very strong and full of life.... like a tree with leaves producing flowers and fruits.... some 30, 40 or 60.... "like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth fruit in its season.....(Ps. 1) We reach the autumn of our lives..... loosing sight, teeth, hearing........and we stand bare .. like the tree in Autumn. But is the tree dead? No....Autumn is a period for the roots to go deeper and since there are no leaves, all its energy is stored up  for a harsh winter and to produce new buds .
Where are you now?... Do you feel bare?... it's normal as even healthy trees are pruned like the vine and the rose so that they can produce better grapes and Roses.
Jesus as the True Vine..... "every branch in me that does not bear fruit is cut away and every branch that bears fruit is pruned that it may bear more fruit.... Abide in me and I in you... as the branch cannot bear fruit except it abide... no more can you except you abide in me....for without me you can do nothing... (John 15: 1-8) Pruning may be painful... but it has  a good purpose. The bear autumn tree will have to go through a winter, that may be harsh, leading to Spring/Summer. Even though in a way it may appear dead but there is life silently present. ...
Do you at times feel abandoned by God?.
God is silently  present .....like the seed planted grows silently unseen by the naked eye.... despite where you are at the moment.... which ever cycle you are in..... whether you know it or not... God's love for you is unending..... Just as He recreates the world every day, season after season so is His love continuously being poured out to renew us...... Take time and examine your body..... there is no one like you in the whole universe....as no two trees are the same and no two leaves from the same branch are the same....not even two rose petals are same or two snow flakes are same..... you are unique, you are special and the Lord your God and Creator loves you in each season/cycle of your life....... even sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything etc.
Listen:
"Even in your old age, I shall be still the same, 
when your hair is gray I shall still support you. 
I have already done so, I have carried you, 
I shall still support and deliver you ..... (Is.46:4)
All He requires of us is to trust Him totally for He is Able to carry us through...........