A New Season

When I left for Paraguay, it was Winter here. I arrived there and it was Summer and about 120 degrees. We had hot temperatures about half the time I was there. Then came Fall and Winter. When I arrived home in July, Summer again. I missed Spring. My body had to adjust to the change in weather and also to the missing of Spring. I believe each season affects our body differently. Seasons are a great design of God and there is reason for each one. My body was so ready for Spring this year! Everything feels newer, fresher, healthier.

This last season I walked through was not my best. But I have to believe there is purpose in everything. It was a season of what seemed like purposeless living, much sickness, and no writing at all.

Not only was my body ready for a new season, my spirit was as well. I'm sure God is always working things together that we have no idea of. These past several weeks I've actually been able to watch as doors have been opened and others have been closed. The closing of doors hurts. Not that we believe it's the best place for us but sometimes it's the comfortable or easy place for us. All things are becoming new. Even things that may not seem significant to others. A new haircut, new glasses, a new perspective, a new church, a new job, and soon to be a new residence.

That last one, a new residence, is currently in the process stage. It's something I know is a necessity for growth. I don't do well with change, even good changes. But I'm learning. Learning how to trust. Learning that my plans are not always best. Learning that new and different should not equal fear and worry.

The other night, while talking with my soon-to-be new roommate, we discussed how surreal it all seems. This is really happening. And we have to take the necessary steps. It's one thing to suddenly find yourself in a new season of life. It sometimes happens gradually and unconsciously. But when you have to actually take physical steps to move yourself from one season into the next, it's very overwhelming. That's when your trust in God is not only tested but it also grows.

I read something the other night that really speaks to me about this last season: "He is the door. This was not about me checking off my to-do list of accomplishments, but about me drawing closer to Him. As that happened, He would open a door that no one could shut. The time in which I thought He was not moving was actually the time He was moving in my heart. As I kept His Word and proclaimed His name, He was preparing me to walk through the door." (from What Happens When Women Walk In Faith by Lysa TerKeurst)

Something else I wanted to share from the same book: "We need to learn that God has a plan and to trust His plan. In so doing, we'll find that we must leave our old identity behind...God has given us a new name, but sometimes we try to put our new name on our old identity. I had to learn to leave my wrong perceptions of myself and my bitterness from my past...He wanted to shine His grace, mercy, love, and redemption through my faults, failures, and frailties. He wanted to make me strong in His strength."

For any of you who are wondering where I'm moving to, I plan to move to Spring Hill. My church is there, my job is there. I feel strongly that is also where God wants my home to be.