As the Seasons Change

     How many of y'all know that seasons change. Of course, you know that, as many of you anticipate the change of season from Winter to Spring you know that the change will bring significant things you're looking forward to. Planting a garden, wormer days, more rain and less snow, flowers, sunshine, baseball, and so much more.
     Well, seasons change in our lives too, and I'm on the precipice of a season change with my family. My husband will graduate Ministry School in May this year, and he'll be ordained. We aren't sure what the future holds, but we feel God moving us into a new season.
     Something that has signaled this new season, but may not seem all that significant to you is a huge change for our family. We have been Disney Annual Passholders for literally years, and God told us this year not to renew those passes. Let me tell you I had some emotions over that. I might seem silly to some, but that's something our family enjoys, and to know we'd be out of God's will if we renewed the passes was heartbreaking, but God has other plans this year, this season.

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     We are gravitating to so many new things. As my husband becomes more and more comfortable in the new skin God has given him for this season, we expect big changes to come. He knows he's called to Evangelism, and his style of preaching isn't only desired by many churches, it's needed. We know He's stirring up something big for us, and we're excited about that part of our future. We also started homeschooling last fall, and that was a major change for us, and the kids. Right now there are just so many things that are morphing and changing and we're trying to hold on tight for this ride of life. 
     What does all this mean in the natural though? How do we deal with these changes when God shakes things up in our lives? First and foremost you must put your trust in the Lord. Know full well that His plan is far greater than any plan you have, and even when it doesn't look like someone else's' path, know that He has you in the palm of his hand. There can be lots of stressors surrounding these types of changes because the world doesn't understand it. When we fully rely on God and His will, people sometimes freak out a little bit. Hey, sometimes I freak out a little bit at myself. I just know that when I pray, and He speaks to me if I don't listen I'm going to be in a hot mess of trouble, and I don't need any of that.

     It's just a fact in our lives; nothing stays the same. If we expect it to stay the same we're going to be disappointed. God is always working and rearranging things, and something that I've told people in the past, and I believe it whole-heartedly is that God doesn't want you comfortable. He's not trying to make you happy, he's trying to make you Holy. If you're Holy, you'll be happy! That's a tough pill to swallow for many people, but that's what the change of seasons is all about. God is pushing you out of your comfort zone and on to bigger and better plans that he has for you. In Jeremiah 29:11 we're told, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." He knows, even when we're clueless! Take heart today my friends, the Lord of all the earth has a plan for your life, and it's probably going to include changing seasons. 

     If you're like me and my family and He's pushing you on to something new, and you feel the season changing, don't fight it; embrace it. Being in God's will is the safest and most lovely place to be. You can't out dream Him. You can't out plan Him. Embrace His plan and you'll be blown away with where it takes you and your life. I'm embracing this new season that's upon us, and even though parts of this new direction don't make me the happiest right now, I know full well that God has this and in six months or a year from now I'm going to look back and see the beauty of it all. I'm thankful for a God that loves me so much He's always making things beautiful for me in my life. 
     On Saturday we spent our last day at Disney for at least a year as we, in fact, did not renew those annual passes, as He instructed. We got one more day of fun in with our kids, and now we're off to new adventures. We can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for those hours and days that will be freed up. We know His plans are BIG and MIGHTY. I'm excited.

     If you're struggling with the change of seasons I hope to encourage you today. Trust Him, listen to Him and follow Him. Until tomorrow, God Bless you and your family. 
     I'd love to hear about your changing seasons. Please leave me a message below, and give this blog a like if you enjoyed it and share it with your friends!

XOXO
​Jen

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