Autumn is often described as a season of change. Leaves turn from green to red, yellow, and orange. Both temperatures and leaves drop as we trade our t-shirts for sweats and hoodies. Even the days themselves shorten.
Are you a fan of change? Typically, I am not. New devices frustrate me and there’s nothing more infuriating than an update that upends my understanding of how things work. But I came across a Facebook memory that documented these changes to my experiences as an author. On this day in 2017 I announced to the virtual world:

Woohoo!! Broke 60,000 words!!! The first draft ending is in sight!!!

Then I listed other 2017 author milestones:

I registered for the next year's writing conference that kicked off my serious pursuit of authoring. #BRMCWC
I paid money to join a writer's group. #ACFW
I heard I was moving forward in a contest for noob authors
I joined a new group for like-minded writers #RealmMakers
I found out about another writing contest for unpublished authors that will motivate me to produce a working "blurb"

It's nice to look back and see the progress made. It’s doubly nice to update my milestones.

I'm 45,650 words into book one of a duology that takes place in the same world as Water's Break
I've been back many times to the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference
I've been a finalist in several writing contests and won first prize in one
I haven't missed a Realm Makers Conference since 2018
I now help judge contest for new authors, hoping to encourage them as they advance to new levels
And yes, I continue to invest time and money in growing as an author

Change is always happening whether we see it or not—whether we embrace it or not. When leaves change it’s not that the green is turning into red, orange, or yellow, but the green breaking down to reveal true colors. Why would we fight that?

The Israelites, after 300 years of slavery, complained about the changes. In the same way, we resist changes to our routines, to our situations, to our ability—but know, dear friend, that these changes will reveal beauty that has not yet been seen. Know that the One who does not change is guiding and protecting, every step along the way.

So embrace the changes and the One who does not change.