I know what a privilege it is to live on the Kenai Peninsula. The natural beauty of the Kenai Peninsula is different during each season of the year.
In the spring, we see the green landscapes emerge from winter, as the deciduous trees leaf out and the new green grass changes the color of the landscape. The calls of the sandhill cranes in the spring are a rite of spring as they return to nest and raise their young colts.
In the summer season the salmon start to come into the Kenai River. This year, the abundance of red salmon has created wonderful family memories as people of all ages took home fresh salmon. Our family often slips our canoes into the lakes of the Kenai Wildlife Refuge to catch some rainbow trout or Dolly Varden trout. But the real reason we are there is to be part of the wilderness and to listen to the call of the loons or to see a beaver, a river otter or the beautiful white swans. Summer is also a time of growing flowers and vegetables. We enjoy being able to take long walks in the pleasant weather.
August is also a time for “Back to School” for the young people. Their parents hurry to get all the clothes and supplies they will need for the new school year.
The fall season brings its own rewards. The fall colors of the forest are a harbinger that winter will come soon. As an outdoorsman, I have enjoyed moose hunting, grouse hunting, duck hunting and climbing the Kenai Mountains for a dall sheep ram. For Alaskans, fall is a time to put wild game in the freezer.
In about mid-October, the winter season makes itself self-evident as snow falls on the Kenai Peninsula. It is then, that I am happy I put away a good wood pile to stoke the wood stove in our log home.
Just as there are seasons on the Kenai, there are seasons of life. Childhood gives way to young adulthood. Young adulthood often leads to marriage and starting one’s own family. Raising children becomes a prime focus of life. And soon our children have graduated to start their own lives. Seasons quickly come and go all too fast. In a short time we come into our later years. We have more years behind us than we have in front of us.
We read in the Book of Ecclesiastes in Chapter 3:1:
“To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven.”
The apostle Paul understood the brevity of the seasons of life. Paul knew our goal is to present every man and woman to the Lord complete in Christ, so that they will be prepared for a perfect heaven. Paul put it this way:
“28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.” Colossians 1:28
Consider using this brief season now, to prepare you and your family to be complete in Christ. Nothing is more important. The season to influence your children will soon be gone.
Roger Holl is pastor or Sterling Grace Community Church. Worship services are held Sundays at 10:30 a.m. at the Sterling Senior Center. All ages are welcome.
