What season are you experiencing now?

It’s funny to be talking about seasons when it’s just hot outside. Where I live, we are in ‘back to school’ mode, kids will be back in classrooms beginning August 1st. The lazy days of summer are almost up- teachers are heading into classrooms beginning tomorrow. I too will be heading back into a school building after years in a virtual world. It’s exciting and terrifying all at once.

Chapters of our lives are opening and closing all of the time, we just may not call them that at the time- we can call them ‘seasons’ if that makes it easier. We are in all different seasons- there are seasons of joy, grief, new jobs, new relationships, the ending of jobs or relationships, moving…I could go on, but you get the point.

For something new to begin, something must end, a ‘turning of the page’ if you will. On my last day of my online job last week, I was sad and it seemed unreal that the last day had come. I worked with amazing people who became friends and mentors, but even as a part of me wanted to stay, the rest of me knew it’s time to grow in a different direction.

Never say never. I said I would never set foot in a school building again, and here I am looking forward to the fresh page of a new school, a new year, and all new students and colleagues. There’s a chapter in my book just waiting to be written and I can’t wait to get started.

My season is not the same as yours, nor yours mine. We move at different rates, on different paths and if we are fortunate, we find people to walk with us on the twisty path. So many seasons have changed for those in my circle so far this year. I have welcomed new babies, sat with those who have lost loved ones, celebrated new jobs, birthdays and new phases of life.

Wherever you are right now, be in it. Don’t wish it away. Not every season is happy, but remembering that God’s always got this no matter what is happening is the key. If you are in a challenging season, remember that when you come out of it how far you have come and who was walking beside you all along.

I don’t know about you, but I am grateful for all the seasons of my life, the fun, the happy, and even the challenging ones. There is something good and profoundly beautiful in all of them. What season are you experiencing right now? Where is the beauty in it? Look for it, and without a doubt, you will find it.