One of my favorite things to do is travel. In the past few years, my husband and I have traveled to several states we’ve never seen but always wanted to. So far my favorites have been Tennessee, Boston and Charleston, South Carolina. It’s so much fun to visit other places, try the food, see the homes and most of all just take in all the beauty of the sights and seasons.
Since I live in California, we only see a few seasons, if that. We do have great weather year round but I don’t get the opportunity to see all the beautiful fall colors and the spring flowers. Well at least not like they do in the east. It’s so breathtaking to see the beauty of God’s creation. I’m like a child in awe and wonder when I visit other places and take in all there is to see.
Weather seasons are pretty predictable, they begin and end at a certain time. Depending on where you live, you pretty much know whats coming and what to expect. You can plan your lifestyle, wardrobe and activities around it. The expectation of a new season is exciting! It’s a chance to change it up and experience the new weather, the elements and see how nature expresses the new season to come.
However, in life seasons, you can’t always predict whats to come. Some seasons are obvious but they can still hit hard. I remember when my boys graduated high school, back-to-back. I saw it coming, so I spent their last few years of high school taking them to every wrestling tournament, having their friends over after practice to eat, and doing all I could to enjoy every moment with them. I felt it coming and I didn’t want to miss a thing. Even though I was present, it didn’t prepare me for the end of that season. I have to be honest, I freaked out. I wondered what had happened and where did all the time go. All I wanted was to spend a little more time enjoying the moment with them. Right after they graduated, they were busy and gone most of the time. They went to college and even though they lived at home, they had their own schedule, their own lives, and not much time for anyone or anything else.
I didn’t realize how hard it would hit me. I was a mess! I had been very present all throughout their childhood and even homeschooled them during their early years. I did all I could be there throughout their childhood. I stayed home for most of the years they were growing up so I could be a very present mom who didn’t miss a thing. Nothing in life was more important to me than that. But to be honest, I never even thought of the grown up years. Even thinking about it makes my heart hurt. I’m still close to my boys and I love who they are and I couldn’t be more proud of them!
But this season – the one where I had to figure out what to do with my life, without them by my side, was one of the hardest. No purpose in life for me would ever compare to the one of being a mom. But somehow, I had to navigate my way through. It’s only with God I was able to do so, and work through all the emotions or at least some of them. (still working on that one). At first I ran from them, my emotions. I went to work at Nordstrom for 6 years and worked my way up to a department manager. I also was an assistant manager for almost every department. It was something to throw myself into, and work hard at. However, there was a end for that season as well, and when God said it was done, it was done. He brought me home, to continue my ministry that He called me to a long time ago. I had been praying a lot about it and He answered! I’m just beginning and I know there is a long road ahead. But, I know He will guide me through every twist and turn and emotion of it all. It’s been quiet and hard to adjust to being home alone but I have this knowing that it’s God plan and He’s always faithful! He’s carried me through every season and has never left me alone and He never will! Even though it won’t be easy, I have God with me through it all. He has prepared the path ahead of me and will guide me throughout. He’s God – the maker of Heaven and Earth. The one who brings the stars out like an army calling them by name (Isaiah 40:26)!
I don’t know what season you’re in, whether it’s a hard one, a happy one, or somewhere in between, but know that God will lead you through every step and never leave your side. He has you in the good, the bad, and through it all. Keep close to Him and make Him the one you run to at all times, and during all seasons. He’s shaping you and moulding you into the beautiful woman He created you to be! Keep your head up my friend. We are in this together with Him!