Changing Seasons

by Seneca Moraleda-Puguan

As the cool breeze starts to blow and the heat slowly says goodbye, I can’t help but be grateful for this awesome time. Autumn is my favorite season.

It is my most awaited time of the year (aside from Christmas) when I get to enjoy the change of the surroundings’ color- from green to yellow to orange, red and brown.

This beautiful season is a wonderful respite from the intense summer heat and a pleasant preparation for the harsh winter cold.

This autumn also signifies a deeper meaning for me and my family, it is a time of transition as we enter a new season in our lives. The season of long waiting has ended and our breakthrough has come. A prayer we have been uttering for several months has been answered. A door has been opened.

But before this season of rejoicing came, buckets of tears were shed. Anxiety, worry, and fear infiltrated our hearts. Doubts entered our thoughts. Are our prayers being listened to? Will this season of waiting and uncertainty ever end?

Despite all our questions and doubts, we held onto faith. We stood on the promises of the One who is faithful. We set our eyes and hearts on the Rock by which we stand, the foundation by which our lives are built.

And true enough, He delivered. In His perfect timing, He answered. Breakthrough came. Our tears have been replaced with joy. Our doubts have been overcome by assurance.

We have been living in South Korea for almost a decade. My husband has spent his prime years in this beautiful nation. This is where our love story began. This is where we started to build our family and where our two beautiful children were born.

South Korea is our second home. We have experienced wonderful things here. We have witnessed its people’s hospitality and generosity. We have gained covenant relationships worth keeping. We fell in love with this nation.

But as foreigners, we knew from the very beginning that our time here in this nation was just temporary. And our time here is coming to an end.

A new beginning is in front of us. New things await us. Exciting but at the same time, nerve-wracking.

Just like the Israelites entering the Promised Land, we know that the land where God has called us is a land flowing with milk and honey, but we are sure there are giants in the land. But we can be strong and courageous because we know that He will be with us every step of the way and He is fighting for us.

Maybe you are in the same season–a season of waiting, a long one. You believe in something, but the way is unclear and the future seems bleak. I encourage you to look beyond your circumstances and look up!

Look to the One who will fulfill what He says He will do. Make the most of your waiting season, enjoy every moment because all the waiting ends. No season is permanent, it always changes. You will eventually receive the answer to your prayer. You will have your breakthrough. Take heart!

It was lonely in the dark, but you were working. It was painful, it was hard, but you were working all things for my good. Couldn’t feel you at the time, but you were working. Full of questions, wondering why but you were working all things for my good. When I look back over my life and I think how good you have been, my soul sings, great is Your faithfulness. When I get over your love on my mind, I get grateful all over again and my soul sings, great is Your faithfulness.

Truly, this song ‘Great Is’ by Elevation Worship has become the song of my soul while I waited.

As we prepare for our new season, our new destination, we will make the most of our time here and now. We will continue to do the things we have been called to do here in this land we have called home for the past decade.

There are still so many things to do–places to visit, things to try, people to bless and serve, moments to treasure as a family.

Just as the cool breeze starts to blow and the heat slowly says goodbye, I will take the time to thank the One who is in control of time and who holds my life in His hands, for the many great things He has done and will do; and for being constant, firm and faithful despite the changing seasons.