A season is often both a matter of chronology and of sensitivity.
We have labelled child development and adult development as transitions in life. We have labelled the later years as senior moments. Within each season of life, there are predictable phases.
Then there are those times within a season that intensity increases.
For youth, suicide is often a way of dealing with the depth of emotions that most youth experience as a matter of normal life. In the middle years, tensions in family and work situations increase heart failure. As the senior years emerge, the body deteriorates – quite rapidly with the stress of the loss of mobility and loved ones.
Perhaps, like our community, you have been experiencing a dying season this year. Exacerbated by a downturn in the economy and an uncertain political climate, each death seems to expand into a global catastrophe.
Shrink that globe back into your living room, your back yard, into small groups, and large groups enjoying each other. Give each person a reason to find hope in this life and for the next life.