Have you ever had a feeling like something in your life was about to change; like a new chapter or season in your life is about to begin? That’s kind of where I’ve been for while now. In the past, prior to knowledge of a move, promotion or placement of a child in our home, I’ve had this feeling too. Maybe it’s just becoming familiar with the first tastes of a new season; like the crispness in the morning as autumn has approached, or the fragrant air of spring. Since I’m not sure exactly what God’s plans are for my future, I’m left waiting, patiently carrying on until His next journey for my life is revealed.
Prior to April 2006, my family went through a season of life where we pleaded with God to bring it to an end. We were awaiting the finalization of our youngest son’s adoption. This difficult season of our lives lasted about 2 years and was the most difficult I’d endured. We feared losing our son because of the risk involved with his case. In hind sight I can see how God was with us and helped us to grow in our faith during that time, but I was so ready to move on. Now it’s nearing 6 months since finalization and we’ve been able to feel like a family again without constantly being reminded about adoption.
God allows us to go through seasons of our lives to grow us. There are seasons of hardships and seasons of rest. During seasons of hardships, it helps me to remember that it is only for a time. There is purpose to what we go through, new things to learn, new lives to touch… The book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible shares in chapter 3:1-8:
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck 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;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing’
A time to gain,
And a time to lose,
A time to keep,
And a time to throw 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 of war,
And a time of peace.” (NKJV)
Just as there is necessity in changing of seasons here on our earth, so there is in our own lives. Where would beautiful flowers be without the rain? Where would our lakes and rivers be without the snowy mountains? Where would the fruitfulness of our lives be without the labor and harvest? As I wait the next season in my own life, at least I know that whatever comes, there’s purpose.