She was clinging tightly to her bright pink backpack, walking slowly and wearing her first-day-of-school outfit. It matched her lunch box, little faded flowers scattered across both. As I got closer to her, I hoped that lunchbox had a little note of encouragement in it from her mom or dad. 
This little girl needed some reassurance. “I can do this. I can do this.” She repeated the words as she took slow steps, and I thought I could hear her teeth chattering. Her hands gripped that backpack as she continued her pep talk.
I love my walking route through the neighborhoods, parks, and an elementary school. I’ve written many blog posts after I’ve observed the children on my route and realized how much we learn from them. As I passed the little girl, our eyes met, and I said to her, “Is this your first day of school?” She nodded, still gripping the backpack. “Yep, it is. And I’m scared!” I replied to her, “You got this, and you are going to have a great day!”
She smiled. “I sure hope so.”
As she continued toward the school doors, she started her chant again: “I can do this. I can do this.”Groups of children were hurrying toward the school, and I continued my walk, thinking about summer’s end. The months of carefree days, camps, swimming, and sleeping in had passed so quickly, and a new season was beginning. Soon, the leaves will turn, and we will feel a crisp coolness in the air.
Seasons represent change, and many times those transitions can be uncomfortable. But they are necessary if we want to move forward into what God has ahead for us. On many days, I’m like that little girl, clutching my backpack, and giving myself a much-needed pep talk. “I got this. I can do this.” In reality, I’m battling fear of change, the new season, and what lies ahead. I remind myself during those times that when it feels like I can’t do it, God can. When I look backat each new and scary season, what I learned during that time prepared me for the next season. Nothing is a surprise to God, and no season catches Him off guard. Every season requires sacrifice. We can only experience God’s purpose when we yield to Him – the One who guides and provides for us. We trust Him because He has the perfect perspective. Every season holds blessings for us, but to experience them fully, we must choose to set aside what we think and want so God can carry out His perfect will in our lives.
The changing seasons have taught me so much:
I can choose to be thankful for what God is providing – or I can focus only on what scares me.
I can choose to appreciate the beauty of what God has put in front of me – or I can look only at
how I wish for things to be.
I can choose to see and learn lessons God is teaching me – or I can keep doing it my way.
I can choose to adapt – or I can keep complaining.
I can choose to trust God through every challenge – or I can go in my own direction.
I can choose to seek God’s perspective – or I can keep worrying.
God has this season in His hands. Don’t be fearful and don’t take the season back. Keep your eyes on the Savior as you allow the changes to come. God knows every change on your horizon, and He will walk with you through each one. Trust that He will use whatever hard season you face, wasting none of the darkness as He transforms you.
Because He walks beside you, like the little girl on her first day of school, you can say it loud and clear. “HE’s got this!”