Seasons Change

* This post contains affiliate links

It is October ya'll! And although we don't get much Fall-like weather here in the middle of Florida, there is a crispness in the air today as I write this, and I am beyond thrilled to be in this new season. Fall is the season of change. It is the season of pumpkin patches, football, shorter days, and the long-awaited sweater weather.

There is so much to love about the season of Fall, but, if you are like me, the undercurrent of change isn't always so pleasant. If you are like me, change is hard. I don't like it. I like things to stay as they are, and I like to be comfortable in my familiar. Yet, the truth is, so wisely put by Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, "change is the only constant in life." In other words, change is inevitable. Yet, if I may challenge this and say there is one other constant in life, and that is God. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

Yes, life continues to change and evolve, but we can hold on to a loving and steady God who will remain unchanging no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. He is the constant we can anchor our wandering hearts to. He is a steady, unchanging, consistent, stable, firm foundation we can tether ourselves to when the storms of life roll in. The shifting of seasons and the struggles you face don't have to weigh so heavy or feel so scary when you secure yourself to the unchanging One.

So, what is changing in your life today? What season do you find yourself in? Motherhood, just like life, holds many different seasons. Are you in the newborn season? Toddler years? Teenagers? Maybe you have adult children and now you have grandchildren? Perhaps you are in a season of infertility and feel broken and tired. Wherever you find yourself today, be honest, because, as one wise pastor, Mike Todd wrote in his book Broken, but not Destroyed, "God can't heal, what you don't reveal."

It takes courage and humility to admit the challenges you are facing. To peek underneath the surface and honestly evaluate how you are doing in this season of life. It's great if you are thriving, but it is also okay for you to be treading water. Just don't be so stubborn that you drown.

"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried, "Lord, save me!"

Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Matthew 14:29-31

Peter gets a bit of a bad rep sometimes for doubting Jesus in this scene, but I am just like Peter. Actually, I am probably more like the other disciples who never got out of the boat. Who saw the wind and the waves and said, "Yeah, I think I'm good." But Peter lived such a beautiful example for us of how we should respond in the midst of the storms of life. In the midst of challenging circumstances or changing seasons. One, take a step of faith. Two, know who to call on when the wind and the waves feel too strong. Because, when we do, we see that Jesus immediately will reach out His hand. He is there. When we remember to call on and anchor ourselves to Our Creator and Sustainer, He is faithful to reach out a helping hand. He is faithful to catch us and to pull us back onto the boat.

I myself, feel a bit like I am barely staying afloat these days. With school schedules, sports, work, and a million other things demanding my time daily, I feel very stretched. Like a rubber band about to snap. If you are here too, please know you aren't alone, but also, hold to the truth that you can't carry it all, because you were never meant to. You and I are limited in our capacity, but God is limitless. You and I are weak, but He is strong. You and I will struggle and doubt, we will just like Peter, fear the wind, but Jesus is faithful in it all. He will never let you down.

My challenge for you and for me today is that wherever you are, lean into exactly where God has you. To trust the unfailing arms of Jesus to rescue you when life feels too daunting. Remember it is in the uncomfortable that He is preparing your heart for what is to come. Without the falling of the leaves and the harsh Winters, there could be no Spring. Without the storms, we could not appreciate the calm. Each season is necessary, and I know that God will use wherever you are to bring you to where you are needed next. God wastes nothing, not even the seeming barren wastelands of our wintery hearts. I know this, because it has been true in my own life.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

If you read on in the verses after up to verse 8, the writer of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon (the wisest human to live) reminds us of the reality of change. He alludes that there are natural, appointed cycles in nature, and so too, are appointed seasons in our lives. This season you are in has been appointed to you by One who appoints all things. Even in the painful seasons, you can trust God is still working. Although you may not be able to control your seasons or circumstances, you can control your perspective. Sometimes we just need a fresh perspective. Sometimes we just need to stop looking at the wind and start looking at the Savior. Don't take your eyes off Him. He is there. He is faithful. He is steadfast.

God is making everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11), including you, my sweet friend. He is working in this season and preparing you for the next one. He is working in the joy and the sorrow. The successes and the failures. The boldness and the doubts. When you learn to keep your eyes fixed on the One who controls the wind, you will have no need to fear it. When you remember to trust Him and give this season over to Him, He will help you shift your perspective to one of gratitude and contentment. And to live in this season with purpose and joy.

So, keep your eyes on the Savior, not the circumstance, and hold tight to the truth that He is working in whatever season you are in. I love you, mama, and am praying for you. You are doing an amazing job!