I love this time of year. The smell of leaves, the cool crisp air, the vibrant color of the leaves, pulling out sweaters and soup recipes. This year though, fall is a little different for me. Since we are in a warmer climate and have no trees with changing leaves, cool crisp air or even the desire to eat soup or wear a sweater; I am having to rethink fall.
I can tell that the temperature is dropping a bit, the mornings and evenings are cool. The bushes and flowers all seem to be peeking out their vibrant colors of purple, pink, white, orange, yellow. The grass is greening up and the sunsets are getting earlier in the evening. I have pulled out a hoodie here and there, but haven't kept it on for long. So fall is here, but in a different way than what I am used to.
I feel the same with this season of my life. I am not too sure what God is doing in me, through me, with me. I feel a renewed faith in Him and ability to believe Him for more than I have in a long time. I feel His word IS true and He IS faithful. I am so thankful and find it refreshing.
Not too long ago I was doubting that my God was who I believed Him to be. I wondered if He really did follow through. I felt forgotten, abandoned and left behind. But God in His mercy and love has shown me otherwise.
I am realizing that this season in my life is different for so many reasons. My kids are ALL in school. So my time is more free. I am filling it with bible study, prayer, exercise and of course laundry, dishes, vacuuming, etc. I am also working on renewing my mind and filling it with faith, thankfulness and God's word. I am having to build up my faith bit by bit. The relationships in my life are different as well. Having moved to a new place, I am once again building friendships. My husband and I are reworking our relationship as our kids are older. They are not so small any more and their dependance on us is different. So we are shifting and changing our way of dealing with them and with each other. Our marriage is in its "teen" years. We are in the busiest time of our lives, so finding time for each other can be tricky. But we do it as often as we can.
I also realize in this season that God is having to remove some "stuff" in me to make room for more of Him. He is changing my mindset on so many levels. It is a good thing, even in the midst of the uncertainty and insecurities. I know God will see me through and He will guide me through the changes.
I am also stepping back and sifting through some things. I realize that God will not always give me an answer for certain situations I have walked through in the past. I may not see the effects of decisions made that we thought were the best. I may not see the lives touched or changed by my reaching out, but I have to trust God in His response to my obedience. I may not understand why I had to walk through pain and loss to get to where I am this very moment, but God has gotten me this far. I am standing, I am singing, I am believing and I am praising. I am still going to dream, hope, desire. I have yet to accomplish all of my dreams but I know God has placed them in me for a reason.
This season of my life holds many things. It holds new beginnings and endings. It holds healing and restoration, forgiveness and release. It holds reshaped plans, visions, dreams and goals that will be accomplished. It holds growth, maturity, strength and renewed hopes. This season will be one of seeing some desires realized that I have had for a long time.
I don't want to take this season lightly in any way. It is preparing me for so much more than I can even imagine.
That is what our seasons do, if we let them. They prepare us for our future. No matter what season you are in, I believe God is getting ready to do some awesome and mighty things in your life. I believe He wants us to have a season of abundance, joy, peace, provision, healing, restoration. I am ready for it. Are you?
"It's a new season, it's a new day..... Fresh anointing, flowing my way. It's a season of power and prosperity. It's a NEW SEASON coming to me...." - New Season Israel Houghton
