Seasons

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” Ecclesiastes 3:1
I have an amazing group of women that I meet with every two weeks.  It’s a new group. Today was only our fourth meeting.  The connection we have made in this brief period of time can only be described as a God thing.  They are why I love groups.  They are why I know everyone needs a group.  They are why I give my time away so other people can experience and share what we experience and share together.
Today’s topic was on seasons of life.  My favorite quote was “Sometimes good seasons have to end so great seasons can begin.”  All of us, in our group, are in different seasons of life. Sharon inspired this blog, as we talked about the different seasons of our lives.
As I pulled on my reading glasses in the midst of describing this season of my life, she astutely pointed out that “they” are an indication of the season I am in today.
I am in mid-life.  Mid-life comes with indicators.  My eyesight isn’t what it was five years ago.  My body takes longer to recover from a work out.  I have a hard time guessing someone’s age under 25.  They all look young to me.
Our study this morning challenged us to love the seasons that we are currently experiencing.   The question becomes, “How do we do that?”
How do we do that?
I think first we have to recognize that there are seasons.  That things don’t last forever.  In fact, you can bank on the fact that whatever you’re going through right now, it’s not going to last forever.  It will change.   It will end.  It will become a new season.
I struggle with identifying seasons sometimes.  It is why I am so grateful for women like those I shared time with this morning who help me identify my seasons.  You can’t love something if you don’t even know it exists.
Learning to identify seasons isn’t as apparent as the changing of seasons in Mother Nature.  If we pay attention, we will see the identifiers.  The day you become a teenager.  The day you get your driver’s license.  The day you graduate high school or college.  The day you get married.  The day you have your first child, then your second.  The day you put on your first pair of reading glasses.  These are just a few, but they all identify a new season.  Just like the cooler temperatures in September indicate Fall.
Once we recognize that our lives are divided into seasons, we can start appreciating them.  When it is Summer, I appreciate the warmth.  When I received my driver’s license I appreciated the new found freedom.  When the leaves change in the Fall I appreciate their beautful colors.  As I place my readers on my nose I appreciate the clarity they give me.
The seasons of life vary from person to person.  From Mom’s to women who never had children, there are still seasons.   Whether single or married, there are still seasons.
I’m grateful for my current season.  It isn’t all a big bowl of cherries.  Even in the struggles, I am grateful.  I am grateful because I have a God that is bigger than any struggle I will ever face.  I am grateful because there is nothing new on earth.  I am grateful for the people God gives me to help me through whatever season I am in at the time.  I am grateful because I have a God who will never leave me nor forsake me, no matter what circumstance I face.
I am grateful, because I know, that He does the same for you.  I know He loves you more than I ever could.  I know He has a plan for you.  I know it’s a good plan, one that will prosper you and not harm you.  Do you know how I know?  Because His word says so:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
And:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11
If I can count on it, so can you!