Motherhood has introduced me to seasons in a way I never experienced before. Living on the east coast my entire life, I’ve seen more than thirty springs, summers, falls, and winters. The seasons change according to the plan God set in place long before creation, and yet somehow the shift still surprises me.
I looked out our front window last week to see our maple tree shining brilliant orange in the late afternoon sun. A few windy days later and now those branches that moments ago shone gloriously are bare, save a few leaves holding on stubbornly.
I’m entering into year three of motherhood, a season that is shaping up to be our most challenging yet. God has given us the gift of a strong-willed, independent daughter who will do incredible work for His kingdom. Which I remind myself during extended time-outs and fights over naptime and which shoes to are appropriate to wear to daycare.
As I refill my coffee, I pause to watch the farmer behind our home prepare his fields for winter, and God whispers a vision of seasons of motherhood – and life – into my heart. There will be times to plant, times to wait in the quiet, times to grow, and times to harvest. In each one, if we pause to look for it, we’ll see God’s masterful hand at work, preparing us for the season to come.
- We can’t have a harvest if we don’t take the time to first plant the seeds.
- We can’t experience the joy of growth without first having a time of quiet, to let roots sink deep and hold firm.
- We can’t start planting before we’ve first celebrated the first harvest and laid the ground bare to prepare the way.
Will you join me in reading the rest today over at Mothers of Daughters? God has given me the word “savor” to pray about for 2015, and this idea of investing deeply into my current season is something I hope brings you encouragement!
I went over to “Mothers of Daughters” to read the rest, but since God has been perfectly content to give me all boys I thought I’d leave my comment here. : ) This paragraph “Whatever season you’re in, know that God has you there for a reason. To prepare your heart for what’s to come next. To strengthen you and develop the gifts and skills you’ll need to do even more glorious work for His kingdom. If motherhood feels like constant pouring into and never seeing results – know that it’s a time of planting, and God will take care of what you’re so carefully stewarding.” Speaks so very much to me. I’ve been restless to see the harvest. So much seems like a “constant pouring into and never seeing results” right now. I’m grateful to be reminded that it’s simply a time of planting. There is peace and joy in that as there is in every season of our lives if we look for it. Thank you for being the voice God used to speak to my heart, and praise God for being so sweet to offer me this comfort.