There is so much beauty and wonder found in nature and during each season. Depending on where you live and what season you are in, what you see and what you experience may be different.
Summer in Texas is nothing like summer in New England, and the same can be said about the winters. Having lived in both, I have my preferences, but I can find beauty and appreciate the seasons in both.
Regardless of where we live, we all often have a favorite season. For me, that is FALL!
I love the decrease in the temperatures and the crispness you feel in the air. The changes around you that you not only feel, but often see. All the kids are back in school and we are finally getting into the swing of our routines. The leaves are changing and there is pumpkin spice everything all around us. And who does not love pumpkin muffins?
One of my favorite things about living in New England is not just the fall here, but the distinctly different seasons. Each has its own unique feel and timeline. Some lasting longer than others, but all uniquely different. Giving us the opportunity to experience different things during each season.
Like apple picking in the fall. Snowball fights in the winter. Garden planting in the spring and visits to the beach in the summer. Each having its own highs and lows, yet allowing us to experience only things that are specific for those seasons. This is a lot like life.
The Seasons of Life
Life is often described in seasons. Those periods of time in life where you are either going through or experiencing something, both the good and bad.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven;
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)
Times like that newlywed season, when there is an overabundance of love, time and growth in your marriage. When even on the bad days, being able to come home to your new husband and bask in your newlywed glow can seem to make everything better.
Or that newborn season when you are a first-time mom and cherishing all your babies firsts. Those times when you often just watch your child sleep. You are in awe of both how precious they are and what precious a gift from God they are.
You experience many seasons of growth and change. Times of abundance and overflow. Seasons we often embrace and want to never end, yet they all do. We also go through not so enjoyable seasons of life. The seasons of busyness with no progress or loneliness and need. Times of brokenness and loss. The hard seasons of life.
The Hard Seasons of Life
Unlike with weather seasons, not all seasons of life have truly defined timelines. This is all the more evident when we are going through the hard seasons of life.
As a wife and mother, those hard seasons in parenting and in marriage seem to be never-ending. Those seasons when the newlywed glow has worn off and talking to each other feels more like a chore than a joy. Or you are faced with a financial crisis that you are neither prepared for or can agree on how to overcome it. Yet you are committed to your marriage and each other, so push through.
Then there are those seasons when the first-time motherhood glow wears off and those endless sleepless nights wear on you. Or your child realizes the power of No! and uses it at every turn for everything. Yet you are committed to being the best mother you can be, so we push through.
We may not be able to decide the season we are in or how long it will last, but we can decide our actions and our perspective while going through it.
So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us.
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (MSG)
We have to choose to look at the seasons of both abundance and struggle as opportunities to continue to grow into the fearfully and wonderfully made women God has created us to be. Is this easy to do? No! But putting in the work is worth it. So over the next two months, we are going to do just that.
We are going to look at ways to both navigate and flourish in some of the difficult seasons of life. Focusing not on the things we cannot change or do not have any control over, but focusing on the things we can. Choosing to not just endure, but to overcome. Are you with me?!
I’d love to know what season of life you are currently in and
how you are not just navigating it, but flourishing in it as well in the comments!
Thank you for such an encouraging post. Us women are very strong and determine that we always push through even through the hardships in life.
What a beautiful family! I used to not like the changing seasons, but I have come around to really appreciate them, especially with this view on the seasons of life.
I love fall, but then I feel sad because it seems like summer is over so fast and we get awful weather too fast. I am in Upstate New York, and winter just drags out too long. It is a tough season.
Winters are definitely not easy in the Northeast, Marysa. But there is beauty to be found in them all.
I’m in the “trying to figure life out” season of life. Is that a thing?! I’m still trying to find everyday balance.
That is definitely a season, Heather. Finding balance is not easy and will look different for everyone, but trust that you will and this season will eventually end.
Thanks for sharing! Have been living through a “hard season” and I am ready for and anticipating the “spring!”
You are definitely not alone, Patricia. We all go through those times and have to keep looking forward to the change of season.
Great information, daily motivation everyone needs here and there.
BEAUTIFUL post and so encouraging. I love what you said about life being different from seasons in that there aren’t clear distinctions between them. AND that we must ‘choose’ to look at the good and bad as opportunities to grow as godly women. 😉
Fall is my fave, too. You’re a step ahead of us in Oklahoma…we’ve had another round of summer. I also just wrote a post on challenging seasons of life. So grateful that “…His mercies are new every morning…” Lamentations 3: 20-24
So grateful for His mercies and the newness of each day, Dianna.
You’ve truly captured the seasons of life…so beautiful!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Jaclyn. 💕
I love fall too! Also you are right about the seasons of life, we don’t know how long some will last. Though it may be difficult, finding the joy in each of them is so important!
Finding joy in every season is so important, Keri.
This is a wonderful post! I’m currently in both a wonderful season of life, but it’s also one that is hard because I’m in a stage where I want so much more for and from my days. When I get down about it, I remind myself that this is all part of the process, and that I have the power to make decisions to move myself forward. It’s sometimes hard, but it really does make such a difference!
This is very encouraging! I am going through a hard season of change. I just ended a four-year relationship and I’m having trouble at work. I’m thinking of going to stay with a relative up near Washington DC to hopefully have more opportunities and makes things better. I guess if God wants me to go, he’ll let me.
I always love reading your blogs. They are full of encouragement and love. You seem to be a godly lady, and you write beautifully. I am a new empty nester. I must say this season is pretty good. I like the freedom to finally pursue my passion of writing and mentoring.
Great post!! As a fellow New Englander I agree with you about fall!! You are correct, it can be difficult when you are in the midst of something to look at other “seasons” but it definitely helps us keep things in the proper perspective. Difficult seasons can definitely overshadow us if we allow them to.
My family is going through a big season of transitions. We just moved to a new house in a new area. We’re also expecting Baby #5 in November after a series of losses so the whole family is extra excited/nervous. I don’t know if we’re exactly thriving in this season yet, but we’re finding joy in spending time together, establishing new routines, and enjoying our beautiful new yard.
I love the reminder of the choices we have during each season to make it the best we can and push through!
Wow! Thank you for sharing! It is definitely important to remember that the struggles are temporary, even when we can’t see or know when they will end. Needed that reminder today.
What a beautiful post, I also love the changing seasons. I’m working on handling the harder times. Thanks so much for this encouraging read.
Such an encouraging post!! I’m a bog believer in ‘this too shall pass’, so like you said, its just a season in our lives. XO ~Anna
Fall is my favorite too! Leaves changing color, sweaters, the chilly air! Love it!
My favorite season is the fall too. I moved from California to Virginia a couple years ago, and I never want to go back. I would miss the weather too much. God is Good!
Great blog, through experience I have learned to embrace the hard seasons in life, it is what builds character, hope, and perseverance.
Thank you for this post. I’m definitely in a season of struggle. I am faithful that God is growing me and teaching me. God is good all the time and all the time God is good!!
I love that you point out that it’s a choice. We choose how to look at our trials and we choose our perspective.
I’m a mama right now, staying home and filling my days with reading and writing. Life is good. What God is teaching me is that all seasons of life can be good, even when they’re hard or lonely, if we share our every days with him.
Beautiful family! Fall is also my favorite season.
Great encouragement. It’s so easy to feel like something is wrong and that it will never end, but I love the reminder that it is season in life! 🙂