Sunday, April 06, 2008

Sunday Afternoon Tea

The change of seasons here are truly remarkable. On Friday, I was wearing my heavy winter coat. On Saturday, my light "rain" coat. Today (Sunday), was the first time I stepped out of the house with only a sweater draped over my church outfit...since... autumn? Of course, we'll be playing the freeze-warm game throughout April. Which is also why my state is quite prone to tornado activity... remember... breath, do not hyperventilate... and fear not. :)

There were a few things happening this week which took my ponderings to the subject of seasons. The obvious, of course, is the transition from winter to spring... the seasons of the planet. Most of my ponderings were about the seasons of our lives. I expect my own transition from full time homeschooling mom to one who is a "parent of one taking their senior year at junior college" has a lot to do with it. No more homeschool co-ops, no more field trips, no more buying homeschool magazines (although I do still peruse The Old Schoolhouse at Barnes & Noble), almost no more... schooling at home... officially that is. I am helping him with his government "class" this summer.

There are so many seasons in each life. We each have a childhood, an adolescence, those in-between years of the late teens and early twenties, the decades that follow... each season building on the other. Any wisdom I have now came from all I learned, listened to, read, absorbed, lived through... the first four decades. All faith that has built up came from trials past and lessons learned.

One can't look back and judge ourselves when looking at past seasons. What now is so obvious in the past was only a wisp of a cloud... a thin veil with a peek into the future... at the time. I can't even begin to understand the concept of Time and Space but one thing I do know... it takes a lifetime to become the person Christ wants each one of us to obtain. He knows the number of years He will give each of us. He pictures us as the person we will become and directs us in that path.

Think of the many times he changed a person's name in the History which is written in his Word. We are all like Gideon when the angel tells him "The Lord be with you, mighty warrior" and he replies that he is the weakest of his tribe and his tribe is the least in Manasseh. So often what he is requiring of us, that season in which we find ourselves entering, is one for which we feel totally no preparation.

I had no idea how to take care of an infant the day I brought my daughter home from the hospital. I didn't know how to be a good wife, or decorate a house, much less take care of another human being in the beginning. I knew a little about cooking... very little. I didn't know much about corporate life or office work when I first began. My first two or three jobs were disasters. Later, when we knew God was calling us to homeschool, I felt like Sarah... a good laugh would show God that he obviously had the wrong person. :)

Each episode was the beginning of a new season. Each season... building upon the other. He only requires us to walk one day at a time whether we are going through trials which take our breath away or we are enjoying a time of peace & prosperity... and he doesn't let us stay in a comfort zone.

I've become pretty good at being a wife, a mother, a homeschooling mom, a wanna be chef, and I've even been able to keep a few perennials alive these past few years. I was an excellent corporate employee by the time I put that season behind me. This next season... it looms before me with the same doubts and curiosity in which all past seasons were entered.

I am entering it with chronic illness and fatigue but then again... He is not requiring as much physical activity as He once did. Well, except the yard but then again... exercise and sunlight are good for one. I can no longer handle a three ring circus, nor can I keep large amounts of information in my mind as I could in my 20s and 30s. But then again... all those skills were required for a past season.

We can't stop our own season from changing anymore than we can make warm weather appear faster in this very long winter. There is only one part of "us" that keeps growing and gaining strength. The Bible says that is our "spirit man... or woman... as the case may be". At least one part of me can grow in health and strength!

So, I'm off to brew a cup of tea and rest up a bit before I make my way out into the warm weather to clear some of the small tree limbs and twigs that have blown onto the yard in the storms of winter. It won't be long before we begin to see flowers.

Another spring... new life coming up where none appeared to be just a couple of weeks ago. Gives one hope about the Resurrection when we all will receive perfect bodies. Now that is something to hope for... an eternal season of perfection.

15 comments:

zetor said...

Yes, I do believe that we have seasons(phases)of our lives. I sometimes find these (changes) difficult. When the 'nest' is emptying fast I do feel blue, my consolation is that He will always be there , no matter where we are on our journey. Trust must be our life essence. Hope you have a relaxing Sunday and fatigue isn't overpowering. Blessings!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful thought provoking post, Brenda. I hope this next season will be gentle on you physically...that will be my prayer for you.
Blessings, Patty

Karen Deborah said...

This is a great post. It's a good thing that retirement isn't in the Bible. We will have somthing to do for our Lord as long as we are here. Having the last child leave is a biggie. You mentioned diabetic feet. Are you eatting all these desserts? You'll feel better on a diabetic diet. Not trying to step on your toes.

Quinne said...

Hi Brenda :) A lovely post, this! Can I whisper that I am so excited for you for this new season? I am looking forward to what the father has in store for you.

It is a joy to pray with you and for you in this. Love, Q

*carrie* said...

Brenda,

Yes, one day at a time. Thanks for the reminder!

Vee said...

Wonderful to read that warmer temps have arrived even if there may be some ups and downs through April. While you spent time in the garden, I spent time in the drive chipping ice. And you know what? It felt perfectly like spring to me.

I love this essay on seasons/life changes. One thing we can count on is that He is going with us through them all.

Tammy said...

Hi...just wanted you to know I've enjoyed your blog this past week!
Thanks and keep up the good work!

Kim said...

"...it takes a lifetime to become the person Christ wants each one of us to obtain." My thoughts have been running along that line all week. Thank you for this post. It was a blessing to me as I am moving through the season of a first child leaving home for college and not being able to remember things like I used to!

Abounding Treasures said...

Brenda,

I really enjoyed this essay on the seasons we have in our lives!

There were/are challenges in each season as well as joys and uniqueness but as some have already said, HE is with us throughout each and every season of our lives and will be with us forever ... that gives me comfort in the midst of change :o)

Blessings,
Dallas

Grandma Farm said...

I enjoyed this Sunday Tea again, Brenda! It is so good to be reminded that God is in each of our seasons, even this one where I have children leaving the nest and children entering their homeschool years simultaneously!

Anonymous said...

Dear Brenda,
I've kept up with you via Bloglines, but I haven't done any commenting due to time crunch. But I want you to know how much this particular post spoke to my heart!
With two (almost) 17 yo daughters, I have come to realize how quickly time passes and how our 'seasons' can change while we're busy doing other things! The Lord has really put upon my heart to treasure and appreciate each day and each memory to the fullest...even when those days seem to stretch out forever and bedtime is still a long way off! With lots of littles still here, sometimes it's easy to forget how rapidly the time goes by. But it won't be long, and before I can even blink they'll all be (almost) 17 as well! LOL
Thanks for this gentle reminder about our 'seasons', and may the Lord bless you as you enter into your new season as well!
Thanks also for being such a wonderful Titus 2 example!
Hugs,
Amy O.

~~Deby said...

I think the older I get the faster the SEASONS of life and weather come and go...which is sometimes hard but it does make you realize that life is fleeting.
As someone who also suffers (greatly at times) with fibromyalgia and CFS, it is hard sometimes that my season of feeling strong and useful in body will never be there again, then I realize it could be so much worse and the Lord reminds me of Romans 8:28....I am so thankful for the way the Word of God can give comfort like nothing else can.
Deby

Kimberly said...

Lovely thoughts and reminders! Thanks, as always, for sharing.

Kimberly said...

Lovely thoughts and reminders! Thanks, as always, for sharing.

Anita said...

Thanks for the lovely tea! My mother had a heart attack so I've not been able to blog much. I'll soon get back at it. Thanks for sharing.