Why You Need to Embrace This Season of Life
It is very late — probably later at night than I've ever blogged before. But this is the first time I've had a quiet moment for the past, oh, week or so, and I wanted to snatch the opportunity to put some of my thoughts down on (virtual) paper.
It's been a busy time in our family's life, and of course it comes just as I was seeming to find a good routine after our latest baby was added to the family. (It always takes me forever to get my ducks in a row!)
My nice little routine was upturned and our family entered a season of busyness as we help my in-laws get their house ready to sell after having lived in it for years and years and years. (It's a lot of work when you've lived in a house that long!)
You know that term “it's just a season of life”? It's so true. We all have seasons in our lives. Sometimes the term refers to a very long period of time, such as the season of life when you have kids in “the nest” and the new season when they're grown and gone. But sometimes a season of life is just a short little stretch that is defined by a certain event, such as having a newborn in the house, canning and preserving season if you're the kind that grows a big garden, moving, a loved one who is ill and for whom you are caring until they are better, etc.
But no matter whether the season is short or very long, it seems like most of the time I hear the term being referenced, it is with an air of wistfulness for it to be over and on to the next season. Well-meaning mothers who know their proper role and are making their families their priority will say “I'm in that season where I need to focus on my family. When my kids are grown and gone I will have time to pursue my dream of…” (writing, art, etc. — you fill in the blank.) That is true and noble.
When you're in a short season of busyness as with a move or other transitional period, you might say, “Well this is just a season, but I can't wait until this is over with.” I actually made a similar statement regarding the situation our family is in right now. I wasn't complaining; just stressed and tired and looking forward to being “unstressed” and “untired”.
But while remembering that life comes in seasons is good, and entering those seasons without complaint is even better, why should we wish those seasons away? Why can't we embrace whatever season it is in which we find ourselves, knowing that God has brought those particular circumstances into our lives for His divine purposes?
In seasons of busyness, tiredness, and stress, he reminds us to depend fully on Him. (Isn't that great that those seasons follow times of peace and calm when it's so tempting to think we've got it all together and forget to depend on Him?)
I for one am going to not just accept the fact that this is a season and look forward to the next season that is more enjoyable; I am going to embrace right where God has put me today! I'm going to soak up every lesson that is there for the learning. I'm going to depend on Him to give me strength when I'm tired. And I'm going to thank Him that He knows exactly what is best for me!
I hope I've encouraged you today to do the same, no matter what season it is in which you find yourself right now!
P.S. Can I let you in on a little secret? That “next season” that you're looking forward to so much? It doesn't usually turn out exactly as you'd envisioned anyway. I'm not saying your entire life will be one of living from miserable experience to miserable experience; I'm just saying life will pan out differently than what you have planned for yourself. But that's because the Master Designer has a much better plan! Will you embrace each aspect of it as it comes your way?