Seasons... {Community Brew}

I am so thankful for Rachel and Madison hosting this link up! It is such a joy for me to blog and to read all the posts everyone else has written. Since I have been so busy with life lately, I haven't had the chance to join in for a while - thankful that I'm here today!

Today we are talking about seasons of life. Right now I just moved out of one season and am in the most amazing, new, crazy, and a little overwhelming season I have ever experienced. Nathan and I will have been married for 2 months tomorrow, and I am in the middle of my third week of my new job. 

Desert song - Hillsong

In some ways when I think about seasons, they make me sad. There are so many that will never come back. Childhood, teenage years, singleness, being engaged, newlyweds... No matter what happens throughout, all of those are beautiful seasons, each with their own wonderful (and maybe hard) memories. And each one only gets a certain amount of time. As I am just leaving the engaged/single season, it has me thinking about how many times I 'pulled the string' of life, wishing for a season to move on and how now, I miss all of them deeply. Not in a holding onto, won't let go, won't live in the present, type of way; I'm just starting to realize how wonderful they all were and how fast they went. I am learning how important it is to be present in each one, enjoying them as a gift from God, and letting Him work through you in every one. Then when one is over, may I be able to say "Thank you, Lord for that season and for everything you did in my life through it. I am ready for this new season, with you."

Like I said this season I am in is new - like, everything is! It's crazy. Figuring out married life, wife-y life, working at a real "out in the world" job for the first time in my life, balancing my new church and family with mine in St. Pete, and so many other things. 

Sometimes it seems normal, and like it has been this way forever; sometimes I stop in amazement that my new life is real - the life I have dreamed about for so long, and it's actually happening; and then sometimes I completely breakdown as I start to think of all the things that are different: not going to the same church every Sunday/Wednesday, not seeing all my friends that I grew up with, not living with/seeing my family, my dog. I am being stretched and pulled in ways I never have before. I am experiencing things, confusing, hard things, that I have no clue about. And it's good. I love it! But it's also hard, and a little scary. 

Not only do we have physical seasons of life, but there are also spiritual and emotional. Those can change even more often and can be even harder, but also even more amazing! Right now I am having a hard time figuring out what season I am in, and how to thrive in it. That is a huge prayer of mine right now, to learn how to thrive in this season God has put me in. The Desert song by Hillsong has been a wonderful way for me to express my feelings right now and I love the reminder that no matter what season I am in, spiritually, emotionally, physically, He is God and He is good and I have a reason to worship...

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me, Lord, through the flame

And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow

I am so glad that God brings new seasons into our lives and that He is control of them and is working in every single one. So, even though right now I am in a season that I am still figuring out, I have that comfort. God is with me, God is for me, God is working for my eternal good and His eternal glory. 

Is. 40:31 -

"but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

    they shall walk and not faint."

Esther 4:14

"For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

What about you? What has God taught you about seasons in life? How have you learned to move from one season to another? What is your current season in life and how are you learning to grow in that season?

No matter what season you are in, wait on the Lord and remember, he has placed you there for a reason.

{Linking up with Rachel and Madison for community brew}

Until next time...

Community Brew #3

I was so sad that I missed last months link-up on marriage… So I am jumping in this time, joining Rachel and Madison, along with some other great bloggers.

Today’s link-up doesn’t have a specific theme, just a time to share with others what God has been doing in your life. Without a theme, I might ramble a bit, but… That’s okay, right? ;)

Recently I bought a little devotional on Philippians and Colossians about finding Joy in Christ from Kristin Schmucker on Etsy. I also started listening through MacArthur’s message series on Philippians the past couple of days. Can I say? Paul amazes me. He was overflowing with joy, even though he had every right not to be. God has been showing me how unjoyful I can be. When things don’t go my way - when I haven’t gotten much sleep - when I feel overwhelmed with my to do lists - when people don’t treat me like I think they should. Wow, don’t those sound pathetic?? I let those get in the way of my joy, I let my feelings and my pride steal it away from me. But you know what Paul learned? That no matter what happened in his life, Jesus was his joy; and He should be, must be, mine! 

So, let’s be intentional about joy. Let’s replace our selfish, upset thoughts with thoughts about how awesome it is that Jesus saves, that Jesus takes care of us, that He is in control. 

Until next time…