Ha, that title is the EPITOME of click bate (and I do hate click bate).
I’m not weathering my personal current season of life like a boss, so why would I even attempt to write something like this for anyone else?
Easy. I’ll give you two reasons. 1. This isn’t really for you. It’s for me. Writing helps me process my thoughts, mood, and ultimately my actions. So there! 2. Confession. Yep, sharing my own shortcomings will hopefully keep me humble, and might even encourage someone else along the way.
So, with that….
For many of us, changes in the four seasons require certain behaviors from us. Here are a few examples. Our clothing changes depending upon how warm or cold it is outside. One season may call us to shovel snow or put de-icer on the driveway. At other times in the year cutting the grass or raking leaves might be in the cards. And the list goes on. There is very little, if anything, you and I can do to avoid these types of elements. We are forced to make modifications to accommodate the particular elements of each season.
The seasons of life are absolutely no different!
We must look ahead, prepare, and sometimes expect the inevitable challenging elements.
Take empty nesting, for example. As much as I knew it was coming, it felt like it came out from nowhere! This is still a challenge, even though it is going really well.
In the past 6 months, my wife and I have:
- Relocated back to our home state of Washington from Colorado. (with two of our kids, plus a fiance’)
- Begun discovering what leading a Missional Community looks like.
- Started adjusting to military life with a son in the Navy. (he’s shipping over seas next week)
- Getting used to another son living away in Colorado. It’s hard when they’re not close.
- Discovered the health and beauty of doing bi-vocational ministry in our community.
In all of that, here are a few ways we have tried to weather these seasons like bosses!
Community | Authenticity changes everything. Plus, God created us to live in community with one another and with Him. To support and encourage each other.
Meditation | Prayer, or often simply sitting in the Lord’s presence. In this current season, sometimes all I can do is sit quietly by myself and think about Jesus. Sitting with Him while doing nothing is so therapeutic!
Exercise | Even when we don’t feel like it. My wife and I go to the gym 5-6 times each week. We’re not always excited about this, so it is helpful when we hold each other accountable to go weather we feel like it or not. The key here is simply to remain active somehow.
Talk | With each other. For us, this has made our marriage even stronger. We share our real anxieties & pain with each other. I realize this is a significant struggle for most men, but trust me. Your marriage will advance to a level it’s never been before!
Journaling | I use Evernote and blog. If you prefer the old fashioned paper and pen, try getting yourself a nice Moleskin tablet.
In the end, all seasons come to an end so that new ones can begin. The Bible reminds us that there is a season for everything, a time for every matter under heaven. This should encourage us when we are in a dark season that better days are coming. Likewise, it gives us advanced warning when things are sailing smooth that …
What about you? What season are you in, and what have you found to be helpful to weather it?
OR….which of the items I mentioned above tend to be challenging to actually implement?
Subscribe to the blog HERE.
Comments and questions are welcome below.
Lead Right 