By: Tamera Krause
Almost exactly 3 weeks today, I was there when very dear, close family friends said goodbye to their Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma. I have known this awesome and deeply spiritual woman for almost my entire life and have loved her like a second mom. When I had to call MY Mom to tell her, I wept with her as she grieved over the passing of her longest and best friend.
I have been thinking a lot these past few days about the seasons of life—I’m not just talking about THE 4 seasons that we experience through nature and we relate to age, but more about those times and events and life changes that come and go, that we move through, sometimes very seamlessly and other times as if we were traveling on a bumpy country road!
THESE seasons can bring pain or happiness, love or loss, anxiety or contentment. I read this quote…”If you stay stuck in the past season or fixated on the future season, you will MISS the one you’re in.” (Maree Dee)
How do we do this? How do we live in the moment and find peace and joy right where we are? Embrace the moment, like putting an Amen at the end of a prayer—“let it be”.
There is a season to be born and to die.
There is a season to celebrate and to mourn.
There is a season to search and to give up.
There is a season to speak and to be silent.
There is a season to build up and to tear down. (Ecclesiastes 3)
This weekend I am traveling home to celebrate a nieces 21st birthday with her and my sisters. This event marks a season and new beginning in her life! Her whole life opens up with more freedoms yes, but also more responsibilities,right? Maybe you have yet to BE 21 or maybe you are many years past that memorable day (like myself!) but don’t you remember that time and other times that changed you, that made a lasting impact on your life? I do! And I can’t imagine who I would BE if not for those seasons.
With the home going of my dear friend at 88 years old and looking forward to my nieces 21st birthday, I am examining my life and some seasons/ life events I have been thru that have shaped me and made me the woman I am today. Is it likely that most of these are awesome and happy times? Yes! But that truly doesn’t mean that those sad, dark or harder times do not come before, after or even during the happiness...
High school Graduation
(my first kiss! Ask me about this sometime!)
Graduation from college
Getting married and moving away from home
Being pregnant and having my first baby
Job changes
Having baby #2
Moving to another state
My daughter leaving me twice
My son getting married and moving away
Becoming an ”emptynester”
Some of these seasons have brought with them awesome changes and meaningful moments for me and my family-- wonderful friends and relationships, many of which I still enjoy today, yet many changing phases have also brought pain and some very difficult times that I have had to navigate. And more than a few times, I have had to look Heavenward for understanding and clarity; my faith in God has truly been my lifeline through some rough times, and there is never a season that lasts longer than we can handle!! Think about a time recently that you might have questioned your season—and ask yourself— Why now? What is this? Who am I in this moment?
“Be aware of what season you are in and give yourself the grace to be there.” (Kristen Dalton)
How do we get to a place of living in the moment and experiencing the season we are in and just let it BE?
Here are some thoughts I want to leave you with and see if any will help you EMBRACE your season today!
Your season may turn into a time of growth if you’re willing to dig in right where you find yourself
Your season may bring life giving memories later on!
Your season might be preparing you for what’s next
Your season could give your faith deeper roots
Your season might SURPRISE you!
Your season may fly by when you begin to see it as a gift! (Lara Casey)
Amen— Let it be!