Seasons of Change 01.22.25

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Have you ever found yourself in a slump? The kind of slump that you just can't seem to shake? These not-so-fun seasons of life are inevitable and it's why life is usually referred to as a roller coaster…there's ups and downs and twists and turns of all kinds. Usually the winter season is a little bit of a downward ride for me and I recently experienced quite a little slump. I just felt a little lost, anxious, depressed, lonely and useless. Another reason why I took an additional two weeks off from the newsletter…As I sit here and look out my window, the trees remind me that I will be okay. As there is a time and a season for every matter. 

I'm so thankful this verse in Ecclesiastes states specifically EVERY matter. Not just XYZ matters, but every. single. thing. matters. 

But I wanted to share this message in case you're feeling this way too or maybe you experience a little slump at a different time of the year. I don't really thrive in the cold…at all. I'm a lot like a bear, if I could hide out in my house until Spring arrives, I would! But what a cool (pun intended) season to take a moment to reflect on these emotions, feelings and changes. 

As I was looking outside my window, the trees in my backyard looked so sad. All of the branches are bare, there are no birds sitting on the branches chirping away or building their nests for their little baby birds. There are no big beautiful green leaves adorned on the branches. Even the squirrels that scurried up and down the branches are few and far between. It's cold and it's quiet. You can tell the seasons have shifted. 

I truly believe it's in seasons of life like this that God's pruning us and preparing our minds, bodies and souls for the upcoming season of life He has in store for us. He can't grow us to have new leaves if the old ones haven't fallen off yet! It's normal to experience these growing pains during seasons of change. It's His way of preparing us for what's to come. Even if it seems quiet, even if things seem uncertain, even if life seems a little off…God never quits working on our behalf.  God is never caught off guard. 

Our seasons of waiting are His seasons of working. 

As I have been working through my little slump, it gives me hope as I know that God is working  on pruning things from my life so that I have room for the new things He's got for me. And knowing that while I rest in His presence, He's already put in place the stepping stones that I need to follow for this upcoming season of life.

Just like the quote says, if you're too focused on the past or the future, you will miss being in the present. 

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this season of change and growth and for what's to come! Though I may not know what the future holds, I can rest assured because I know YOU hold my future. As I walk through these changing seasons of life, please walk beside me, hand in hand, guiding me along the path You have prepared for me.  Please help me to get through the tougher seasons with grace, hope and love. 

In Jesus Name I pray.

Amen. 

Key Bible Verses

Daniel 2:21 | Hebrews 13:8

Galatians 6:9 | Ecclesiastes 3:11

Isaiah 43:18-19 | Jeremiah 29:11