Seasons

Over the last several months I have been trying to adjust to changes in my life. There are some temporary changes involving work and schedules and there are some major changes like the change of life.

Never having been through the change of life before I’m at a loss of how to handle all the unique differences I am experiencing. I’ve been researching all kinds of questions and this morning I think I finally came up with a game plan, or rather, God answered my prayers of what’s going on and how best to handle this season of my life.

Many of the articles that I’ve read have mentioned the sleep issues, hot flashing and night sweats along with weight gain. Sounds lovely! The suggestions have been to stay active, eat healthy and get regular sleep. None of that makes sense if you are too tired to work out and don’t feel like eating sensibly because you are too hot to sit down and enjoy a meal. It feels like a vicious circle.

The emotions are a whole other topic that ranges from rage and over reacting to instantly crying for no reason at all. It all feels so out of control and then discouragement and depression decide to join the party.

Most of the articles suggested ways to endure this season and lessen the symptoms with medication or supplements. Nothing the world offered gave me any encouragement other than I was not alone. Eventually every woman will go through her version of this change. But God had a different suggestion for me – “embrace this season of change.”

Here in Idaho we have 4 distinct seasons; spring, summer, fall and winter. Each has their own purpose, experiences, pros and cons.

I will call the spring of life the years from birth to 25 years old. It’s a time of beginning, growing and discovering everything new. You are in a hurry to grow up and experience everything the world has to offer.

Then I’ll call the summer of life the years from 25-50 years old. This is a time of experiences like school, family, careers, homes and trying to figure out how to survive in this world. In this stage you feel invincible, like you can conquer anything with the right amount of effort and hard work.

Next is fall and the years from 50-75 years old. It’s a time of living from the experiences and discoveries. A time of slowing the pace a little to live in a more mature mindset knowing what you like and dislike. Not wasting time on things that won’t last or don’t matter.

You’re no longer concerned with what the cover girl on the magazine looks like anymore, it’s more about how you feel and the empowerment you have of making decisions about your health and personal style. Time has a quality about it and you don’t want to waste it.

Winter are the years from 75 until you go home to meet Jesus. It’s a time of nestling in and celebrating the relationships you have made throughout your life. A time to rest a bit more because you can and a time to share your adventures and wisdom with others.

God’s parting words on this visual of seasons was, “You never know, this next season just might be your best!”

So with that said, I’m going to approach this change of life with a positive attitude. I’m going to embrace this fall season and all the rich colors and scents that it offers. I’m going to live with gratitude that I’m alive and can make decisions through God’s leading. I’m going to enjoy the changes in my body, my mind and my wardrobe.

I’m going to take a deep breath and breathe in the scents of the season with a new appreciation of things like a hot cup of coffee in the early morning or a savory soup cooking on the stove. I’m going to take a Sunday afternoon nap when needed or a brisk walk after dinner.

I’m going to value time. As Solomon wrote in the book of Ecclesiastes, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

My Prayer

Father, thank you for answers that really matter and that address the deeper questions. You understand every detail of these changes because You created them. Guide me through and help me to take in the moments, trust in Your timing and embrace the changes. You have a purpose and I’m grateful that I’m alive and well. I Love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

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

    a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
    a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.