Enjoying the different seasons in life

I wrote this blog entry for a women’s blog: http://onthewillows.wordpress.com but figured I’d post it on my own blog as well.

I have been through many seasons in my life: growing up, college at Baylor, running at Baylor, college at Texas Tech, living in Dallas, running, advertising, living in Boston, marriage, counseling, living in North Carolina, living in San Francisco, running, etc... These are just a few of them. The list could go on much longer. Many of these seasons have come full circle. I would never have predicted how these seasons would shape me, but looking back I can see that each season has helped form the person I am today, the good and the bad. Some seasons are easier than others, however, my goal with each season is not to fear or worry about the next one, but embrace each season for what it brings into my life. I must admit, I do not always embrace the rough patches, and when circumstances are uncertain, I panic.

I started this blog a few weeks ago, and part of my hesitancy in finishing this entry centers on not wanting to sugarcoat struggles and portray following God during each season as an easy decision to make. Some seasons are joyous and others are tough. We may embrace these tough seasons with more of a fistfight than a hug. In Shauna Niequist’s book Bittersweet, she discusses different times in life and very accurately articulates, what I think many women WANT to feel when she said, “Bittersweet is the practice of believing that we really do need both the bitter and the sweet, and the a life of nothing but sweetness rots both your teeth and soul. Bitter is what makes us strong, what forces us to push through…” (Niequist, 11).

We never know what the next season will throw at us and that is scary. When seasons are happy, many of us sing praises to God, and thank him for giving us such glorious times. This is a good thing however, when we enter a season that is full of fear and uncertainty, many times fear holds us back from enjoying our current season or events in our lives. For example, many people know I’m scared of needles. VERY scared of them. The first time I went to Ethiopia I had to get 8 shots. At times, I thought my fear of needles might stop me from going on this trip. Thanks to a good friend who went with me to get the shots, I did get them, and went to Ethiopia. This is a very surface example of fear impacting my life, but illustrated how fear can creep into our lives and stop us from embracing an opportunity or a season in life. (Ironic that I’m scared of needles because I’ve had my belly button pieced twice and now get acupuncture.)

My hope and prayer for my life, and the lives of all the women reading this blog, is that we let ourselves enjoy each season and giving our best to that season. My hope is also that we let others walk through the seasons of life with us. God gives us community to celebrate the good times and cry with us during the difficult times.

We can call out to God in all season, and know that the God who created the heavens and the earth is an unchanging God, who is always available to his children. Jesus experienced both sadness and happiness, yet, amidst all His emotions, He knew God was there for Him, and He trusted his Father’s plan. God sent His only son to give us hope in all seasons of life. In Matthew 28:20 Jesus said the following, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Holy Bible, ESV). Embrace each season, both the bitter and sweet, and know that God has already written each of our stories as we walk through these seasons, and He stands ready to embrace us, and gives us friends and family to physically embrace us during the many seasons in life.

This season of life

I’m not really sure if anyone reads my blog, but I like to write so I’ll keep writing either way. For those of you who know me, I’m extremely extroverted. On the Myers Briggs I’m a strong “E”. Talking has always been a hobby of mine. I genuinely love to be around people and have people over for dinners and parties. In many stages of my life, I’d had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with people. I’ve enjoyed those stages.

Now I’m in a stage where I spend a great deal of the day alone. I am taking two distance learning theology classes and doing some other work from home. My work is not people oriented. The transition to adjust to this temporary season of life has been difficult at times, and a growing experience at other times. So many days I miss the human interaction of life and am so thankful when I do get to spend quality time with people.

This season of life is temporary. My classes will be over soon and I’ll find a counseling internship. However, I do not want to pass this season without taking time to reflect on it. One of the main things I have learned is that we do not always get to have life the way we want it, and when it’s not the way we’d pick, we need to adapt. As I have adapted I learned to talk to God more throughout the day. Some days the length of the days would get to me and my attempts to chat with God would just leave me more restless.

Then I heard about centering prayer. I’m so thankful to learn about this type of prayer. Basically for this time of prayer you just repeat a few words over and over that reminds you of God or are from scripture (ex: abba father). Then you sit with your eyes closed and say those words. Before you finish, you take a few deep breaths. I’m sure I am way over simplifying this method of prayer, but the main thing I learned from it is just to sit with God and enjoy that intimacy in a simple way. This type of prayer is not suppose to replace other types of prayer. It’s just an additional type. Through it, I’ve learned to relax and just enjoy the intimacy with God without letting my mind wander in many directions.

I’m just in the middle of this season, and yet, I can already see that this season has been one of smiles, tears, and learning.