Termination Dust

There is a term familiar to Alaskans used often this time of year, mumbled quietly, eyes gazing toward mountain peaks: “Termination Dust.”

By definition, termination dust refers to a “light, high altitude snowfall that indicates the end of summer.” 

Although the term is a weather-chat favorite among Alaskans, grasping the reality of the season to come is met with both anticipation and dread.  Unlike the beautiful displays of reds, oranges and yellows familiar to persons residing in the Lower 48, Alaskans must accept the quick change separating summer from winter. 

I for one am thankful to have such clarity between seasons; an obvious sign displayed of what is to come. 

The personal seasons of my life seem less obvious in regard to giving me a heads up that a change is about to take place.

Though there is peace in knowing that we serve an unchanging God; at times I confuse God’s never-changing nature with my ever-changing seasons.  It’s not that He hasn’t given me all the signs that seasons are changing; I’m simply not looking up to see the termination dust.

Termination dust takes the guesswork out of “what is to come” and allows one to pause and reflect on the beauty of the moment.  Instead of yearning for what lies behind or wondering what lies ahead, we are able to take in what is happening in the moment.  I don’t know about you, but for me, living in the moment is a struggle.  If I’m not regretting something that I cannot change or worrying about something that will more than likely never happen; something feels oddly unsettling.  

While we are busy with our lives, creation patiently stands to attention should we decide to pause and live in the beauty of the moment.  Perfect memories come from perfect moments which happen during very ordinary, imperfect days.  What feels invisible or hidden in the changing of personal seasons becomes as obvious as termination dust if we are willing to seek the heart of the One who formed us from dust in the first place.

As termination dust creates a beautiful blanket of white upon the canvases of our lives, the next season is filled with hope.  The One who creates each season and determines when each season should both begin and end, true to His unchanging nature, remains ever-faithful.

Stay the Course...

Sheila Cote