Oh hi. I feel a little like a kid on the first day back at middle school…

I haven’t been here in so long.

Will I remember my way around?

Are any of my friends still here?

Will they be glad to see me?

Oh no; are gauchos back in style? (I am really showing my age with that one.)

Last time I wrote anything in this space, I was surviving the newborn days. Since then, we got pregnant again. We bought, renovated, and added on to my parents’ old rental house. We rehomed our beloved dog. We sold our home of the past 8 years, packed up, and moved into that renovated house in a different part of town. We unpacked all of our boxes as I chased two kiddos (who seemingly never run out of energy).

Thrown into this Summer of Change were a couple of birthdays, ER trips, heat warnings, and dropped naps (this one may not sound like a big deal but let me assure you that IT VERY MUCH IS). We had baby #3 in July, and now I’m in the midst of the newborn days once again (If you’re keeping track, that’s 3 babies in the span of 3 years, which means we are immensely blessed but also very tired).

If it appears that I’m making excuses as to why I haven’t written anything…. that’s exactly what I’m doing. But I also wanted to share because I realize that seasons change. I know that sounds rather obvious, but when you are in the midst of a certain season—whether it is really hard or busy or you’re going through big life changes—sometimes it seems as though that particular season will last forever.

You can’t envision making it to the other side because you’re just trying to make it through the day. You may not be able to do what you want because you are required to do the things you must do. Maybe it feels like you are drowning under the daily demands or frustrated with the lack of family time. Maybe you are in between jobs or navigating life as a new mom or your kids just moved out of the house. These seasons of uncertainty and survival and heartaches won’t last forever. We will grow and adapt, learn and move forward as we march toward our eternal hope. 

I haven’t always embraced these seasons well. But looking back, there was so much for me to learn in those hard-to-embrace seasons. God’s fingerprints can be found all over them: as a newlywed in new (and lonely) places, as a wife deemed infertile, as a brand-new mom in the midst of a global pandemic (just to name a few).

So while I have been itching to show up in this space for the past year, I have had to take a step back in this season. To allow time and space for life (quite literally) to grow in all of its messy glory. To love on these tiny humans that the Lord has entrusted us. To rest and recover during those rare moments of quiet instead of reaching for my computer.

Slowly but surely, I am coming out of the pregnancy-brain-fog/moving/house-renovation-marathon that has consumed me, and entering into a new season. One where I can pick up my real camera more often, write things down, and move my body faster than a strained waddle (prayers for all of the pregnant mamas in the summer heat of the South).

…

While I am eager to pull out the cozy sweaters and (re)watch Gilmore Girls to embrace the slightest hint of fall in the air, I’m still not entirely sure how to truly embrace the life season that I am in. I often find myself longing for a full night of sleep or for the boys to be able to wipe their own bottoms. I would love to jump back into design work, but I still don’t know if that’ll happen anytime soon. I wish I could sit down and write a full thought before naptime is over or the baby needs to eat again (I find myself thinking, “Maybe this post will be sent out by the time my youngest is in Kindergarten?”)

But I also know these days will go by in a hurried blur if I don’t stop to enjoy the moments, both big and small. I know (all too well) that these babies won’t stay babies forever. I know that seasons change, whether we are ready for the next chapter or not. I know that everyday faithfulness matters. I know that God has me here for a purpose. And I know, deep in my bones, that He will give me strength for today and hope for tomorrow. So I guess that’s the first step of embracing, right?

What does embracing your season look like for you? Maybe it looks like choosing to notice. Choosing to laugh. Setting down your phone. Giving into grace. Praying instead of worrying. Booking the trip. Canceling the plans. Looking people in the eyes. Taking time to grieve. Taking time to heal. Taking a deep breath before taking the time to discipline. Taking the long way home to see the tree with the bright yellow leaves.

It probably looks like being faithful with what you have been given.

Let’s start now—today, right where we are. However imperfectly, let’s embrace the season we are in. With an eye toward eternity and a step toward doing the next right thing. As for me, I’m off to pull out the crayons for my oldest and rock a fussy baby.

 …

From an old English parsonage down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the doors the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration: “DO THE NEXT THING.”

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
Leave all results, do the next thing.

Looking for Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.

-Author Unknown (popularized by Elisabeth Elliot)

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