Facing a New Season of Life? Then Read This
by May Patterson
I hugged my son Bryant long and hard, as if I’d never see him again.
How long will he be gone? I wondered. Will he stay in Montana forever?
He pulled out of the drive, smiling. I stood in the drive, sobbing.
My son was moving two thousand miles away from home. Away from our family. Away from me. Emptiness moved in right after he left.
Emptiness moved in right after he left.
My first trip to the grocery store was actually quite painful. Family-sized cereal boxes were no longer needed, nor were barbecue chips. After two decades, I no longer had a child to shop for.
When my grocery bill was less than $100, I burst into tears. The startled cashier stared at me, as if I’d lost my mind (I probably had).
I enjoyed being a 24/7 mother and I did NOT want to change. I wasn’t ready for this strange new season. I wanted to keep my life exactly the same.
A LESSON FROM NATURE
About that time, a pair of doves built a nest on my trellis. I noticed that both parents took turns sitting on the nest, working together to keep their eggs warm. Every so often, they made soft, serene-sounding coos.
But everything changed once the babies hatched.
The parents flew back and forth constantly to feed the hungry chicks. Now they cooed loudly over their nest, showing their pride. Their full nest seemed fulfilling to them, as they joyfully engaged in their new season of life.
The babies grew almost by the hour. Soon, the nest became so crowded, the birds had to hop onto the trellis. They ate great amounts and fluttered and preened their new wings. They were never still.
Until the morning I discovered that the nest was empty…
WHAT I LEARNED
- I realized that all of the birds moved on, not just the chicks, but the parents as well. At some point, nests become too small–both for children and for parents. Hovering over the nest doesn’t change that. God used the doves to show me you can’t hold on to the past.
- God designed life to have changing seasons. These seasons are temporary—they were never meant to last. This is His natural order (even though it can feel pretty unnatural). As the seasons of life transition, you must transition, too.
- When the season changes, you can either accept it or fight it. But if you choose to accept it, a new season will push you to grow, spread your wings and fly on.
Solomon explains it this way:
For everything that happens in life—there is a season, a right time for everything under heaven.
Ecc. 3:1, THE VOICE
After my son left, I began to pray and evaluate, what does the Lord have for me now? Since I no longer had kids at home to care for, I changed my daily routine. I tried a lot of new things. And I even took some risks.
God sent the birds my way to show me the importance of moving on (it’s better than getting stuck). Eventually, He helped me release the past and embrace a very different season.
NEW SEASONS BRING NEW JOYS
After much soul-searching, I started a new writing career. I had to learn how to work past multiple rejections, writer’s block and a few tears. Finally my book and Bible study were published, along with lots of magazine articles. I also took speaking classes and became a professional speaker.
Now after ten years, I’ve traveled across the nation speaking. (Last fall, I even spoke in France, ooh la la) My articles and poems have been published both nationally and internationally.
Yes, accepting change was painful, but once I did, it’s actually been exciting. I’ve met the most interesting, wonderful people (like Lori Ann) and learned to do so many new things.
God has a good purpose for each new season.
God has a good purpose for each new season. Living out that purpose brings fulfillment and joy because it not only blesses you—it blesses others, as well.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Perhaps you’re facing a new season of life right now.
Maybe your kids recently boxed up their things and moved out. Possibly your career may be ending. Or your marriage. If so, you’re probably feeling a little lost. Perhaps you’re fighting to keep things the same. Or hovering. Or maybe you’re still longing for seasons that are long gone.
If so, stop. Release. The. Past.
It’s time to move on.
Jesus promised:
“So don’t be afraid, you are worth more than a whole flock of birds.”
Matthew 10:31, ERV
If God takes good care of the birds, then He will certainly take good care of you.
If you are willing to fly on, God has new, meaningful places for you to go.
- Accept that a season of your life has changed.
- Spend time with God daily, as you adjust to a new normal.
- Believe that the Lord will teach you not only to fly, but to soar.
One day, as you glide joyfully within your new season, you’ll suddenly realize that change can be one of God’s greatest blessings.
About May
May Patterson, author of the book, Seeking a Familiar Face, began writing in response to God’s grace. And by His grace, she now has a popular blog and has written many articles for various magazines, including Focus on the Family, Upper Room and Crosswalk.com. She has also published a Bible study, A 40-Day Guide for Seeking God, and speaks at a variety of events, both nationally and internationally. Her desire is to encourage people to draw closer to God, like never before.
When she is not writing or speaking, you might find her with her husband, Mike, on a hiking trail, or hanging out with her grandchildren at the lake, or even aboard an airplane traveling to somewhere new. She has a great love for family, outdoor adventures, good books, and blogging at maypatterson.com.