Last Updated on March 20, 2018

The last few months have been a little hard for me. My kids are both in college and involved in more things. My schedule has changed from revolving around school, meals, and children, to being alone much of the day. It is a hard transition for me. I miss my kids. I miss the structure. I know it is a normal transition in life, and I am thankful that they are doing well. I have been forced to evaluate how I’m going to fill my day.

Since the day I brought my children home from the hospital I have loved being a mom. I have loved being home and caring for my children. The minute you become a mom something happens to your heart. I can remember when they were babies, feeling sad at times because I could already see that with each little change comes a little bit of independence. Independence is a good thing, but can be hard for a mom to watch at times because it is a reminder that one day they will be gone!

A couple of years ago I had a conversation with a young mother. Her little girl had decided she didn’t want to breastfeed anymore. The mom was crying because she was sad that time was over. She apologized for crying and said she felt foolish. Later that day I stopped by her house with flowers and a note. The note read something like this: “I understand more than you realize how hard this is for you. I started crying about 15 years ago and haven’t stopped yet!” (My daughter was 15 years old at the time.)

That’s just what life is like when you are a mom!

So, what do I do with change? How do I face this season? How can you face the change and season you are in?

  • Elisabeth Elliot says “We are not doomed to meaninglessness. A loving Purpose is behind it ALL, and a great tenderness even in the fierceness.”
  • I think of the hymn “Trust and Obey”… but change the words a little bit! Our goal in life is not to be “HAPPY in Jesus,” but to “glorify God.” I sing it this way: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to GLORIFY GOD but to trust and obey.”
  • I pray. “What do you have for me to do today, Lord? Please show me who needs encouragement and who I can serve?”
  • I remember the promise that says “I will never leave you nor forsake you. I am with you always.”
  • I remember that “it is here, where we happen to be at this moment and not in another place or another time, that we may learn to love Him–even if it seems He is not at work, where His will may seem obscure or frightening… Here and nowhere else is the APPOINTED PLACE. If faith does not go to work HERE, it will not go to work at all.”
  • I remember that His grace is sufficient with this “new set of marching orders!” “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:19)

May we seek and find what God has planned for us today–whatever our season!

 

What season are you in today?

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

7 Comments

  1. What a great post, Gina! I think we all struggle with being in a different season of life, whether it is ahead of us or behind us. This was a great reminder to treasure the day we are given right where we are and try to fulfill our God-given purpose. Thank you for this reminder!

  2. Great post. I was just forced to shift seasons as my oldest went to college. I got through it by first crying, then shifting with Him…(a few times! ) thank goodness I didn't get stuck. I saw where I could've. He helps us transition seasons if we let Him.

  3. Beautiful insight, Gina- really appreciate it as I have kids in different stages. Last night hubby & I were discussing how soon our oldest will be leaving our nest for college and how difficult it will be on our baby girl. Just the thought of our oldest leaving kept me awake for a while. And how on earth do you have time to yourself as the 'college mom?!' LOL

  4. Linda Dietz says:

    I'm in the "Grandma Season" & LOVE it. God took me through the "Empty Nest" literally kicking & screaming, I'm ashamed to say. I don't think that's even a correct term in God's economy. Our "nests" are "repurposed" being used for different things God has in mind for this season of life. My husband & I are now free to: house foreign missionaries coming stateside for various reasons, host a monthly men's prayer breakfast, offer Bible studies, be available at the drop of a hat to help families in our church in various ways, start a church library, and of course…be active in the lives of our 3 grandchildren. I love the analogy of life & seasons. My main regret is that I did not always value what God gave in each season. I was too busy either worrying about or dreading the NEXT season.

  5. I think that He has a purpose for us in each season (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8-To everything there is a season,
    and a time to every purpose under the heaven…), and although we may miss where we were, we can look forward with joy and excitement to our new purpose. I wrote about this in a past post:

    "When seasons change, we are given a glorious opportunity to experience something new, to revel in everything that is a part of that new time."

    I believe it is up to us to look to Him to discover what path He would like us to travel. Perhaps we will mentor young moms or volunteer in areas because we now have time, depending on our gifts and strengths. It is indeed our opportunity to throw open that door into our inner selves and see what God has hidden there!

    Our daughters are young adults, and one is married, so we are definitely in a new season. We are finding that one thing we love is having the time to volunteer in areas important to us.
    Prayers to you as you find your way on this new path!

  6. I love this! Although I've dealt with the empty nest season by filling our house again!

  7. I soooooo can relate to the mom you sent really sweet flowers to. (and by the way, what an amazing thing to do, Gina!! Bless you heart, you're so sweet!)

    I know I'm facing two very different stages right now. I'm weaning one child and preparing for one who's ready for school now. Although my children are all little, I can still see the different stages they are in too.

    This post really blessed me because I was just thinking about seasons and how quickly they change. Thanks for sharing such great tips on how to keep things in their right perspective! May the Lord forever and always be glorified!

    Hugs,
    Kennisha