Seasons of life.

A very dear mentor of mine famously says, "You're either going into a storm,
in a storm, or coming out of a storm."

Life is a series of seasons.

 Winter

My winter was a season of drought.

God allows difficult seasons so that we feel the pain, we feel the loneliness and the quiet. When everything is taken away, everything we put our focus on and need to get through the day is taken away, God comes in and says "I AM GOD AND I WANT TO BE ALL YOU NEED". God wants ALL of me, not just some of me. He takes that time to bring us to our lowest so we realize our need for Him. We can't do this life on our own.

 Spring

My spring was a season of pruning.

After we realize our great need for God, He begins to tear off all our "dead branches" (John 15) and prune away our dead leaves. Any gardener knows we have to tear off the dead leaves and branches in order for fruit and flowers to grow. And let me tell you, the pruning process is painful but if we can be willing and moldable to let God do His thing with us then it will be worth it, afterall, look around God is the Great Gardener. If our focus is on heavenly things then it won't matter what we endure on earth.

Summer

My summer was a season of growth.

Anyone gone through puberty knows growing panes hurt. Our muscles get tight, we're being stretched, we can't eat enough or drink enough to feel satisfied, it's a process. There were days in my growing months of marriage and personally that just plain sucked. I didn't see any glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel. Everything was being taken away from me and then let's throw in a broken foot, bed rest and no visitors for the cherry on top, but you know what, the growing season doesn't last forever.

 Fall

My fall was a season of blossom.

Out of all the trial, drought, hopelessness, doubt, confusion, pruning, and growing there I see my FIRST BLOSSOM of the harvest. Out of the pain, God brought a blessing.
 I'm going to be a Mama.

Among the thorns of my season, there is beauty again. I have no idea how things will work out, some days I'm frozen in uncertainty, but I have to choose to PRAISE THE LORD ANYWAY. God is with me and there is nothing to fear. (Psalm 56:3-4)

When everything seems a mess and uncertain, God makes all things beautiful once again. And I for one am thankful for the little blessing growing in me.

 The beauty will stand out among the thorns once again.