Snow storms and summer days

It is winter time and the snow outside reminds me that God created seasons in the world and in my life.  Just as the snow blows and the chill of the wind makes me feel cold I am reminded that the weather changes and that nothing lasts forever.  In my life I am coming to that point where you look back and wonder how did I ever get this far on my own steam?  Just as God allows the wind to blow and the snow to fall He also allows the things in my life to happen so that I might learn how to be more like the person He has made me to be.  I look at the snow and the world around me and have two choices: 1) believe that this is what the rest of my life is going to be like or 2) understand that this season will pass and I better make the most of it before it does.  The first choice would result in a lot of time and energy being spent on things that in the long run would not serve me well (for example - buying too many sweaters and long underwear both of which are no good in the summer).  The second choice allows me to look around in amazement at what God can do (i.e. no two snowflakes are the same).  Being able to trust that God is in control of my environment gives me the opportunity to learn and master the fruits of the Spirit no matter the circumstance.  I know for certain that in the past I have gotten caught up in the season and spent too much time trying to fight it.  I was reminded today of Matthew 8:23 - 27 and the story of Jesus in the boat with the disciples who panic when the storm is around them and Jesus is sleeping.  I wish I could learn to be like Jesus - not being so concerned with a passing storm and knowing that ultimately God is in control.  If their time was up - God would have taken them but it was not and Jesus calmed the storm.  I am not so focused on the calming of the storm passage as much as I am on the passage about Jesus sleeping on a cushion.  Imagine that - sleeping on a cushion through a storm!  The challenge for me is to learn to have that much faith in God and His plan for my life.  I know that He has entrusted me with much and no matter the season or the storm He will never allow me to bear more than I can handle and He will continue to let the seasons change so that I might learn to serve Him in any situation.