Seasons of Change

         As I share stories about how God changed people’s lives in this 31 Days of Change series, I started thinking about the changing seasons of my life. During my adult life the seasons can be categorized by the ages and stages of my four kids.

         Summer is the season of babies, toddlers and littles. This is a wondrous, eye opening season. I never knew I could love so deeply, until I had kids. I learned what it meant to put someone else before myself: their feeding, their sleeping, their schedule, their likes and dislikes. I also remember this season being one of sleep deprivation, especially with twins waking up every two hours to eat. I worried a lot – was I doing the right thing for them, were they going to grow up to be alright? There wasn’t much time for self-care. Not that I thought about it at the time, I didn’t. Just looking back, I was too busy taking care of them.

        Fall brought the elementary school years. They were old enough to do some things on their own, but still needed their Mom. I remember these years being about growth, learning and developing life skills. It was fun doing things with them and looking at the world through their eyes. It was a busy time with activities and juggling schedules. I remember the phrase, “The days are long, but the years are short,” being true of this season.

         I have enjoyed every season with my kids, but the teenage years can be tough. The good part is they have freedom, they don’t need me as much and they can do most things on their own. I like listening as they work out a problem or talk about their plans for the future. Like the baby season, I find myself sleep deprived, waiting for them to come home at night, worrying about where they are and what they are doing. It is a balancing act as to when to be tough on these strong independent kids, but not break their spirit. Realizing we are not raising kids, we are raising them to be adults.

         The young adult years are when the baby birds leave the nest. It brings newness, independence and accomplishments. Graduations, new jobs, first apartments, marriage, and a baby of their own, make all the other seasons worth it. Adult conversations change the parent child relationship to more of a friendship with people you love deeply. Not all of my birds have left the nest yet, so I don’t know what an empty nest feels like, but I know it will be different, as each season with them has been different.

                    I wouldn’t trade any season away, even the tough years. It is all worth it.

         “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

If you would like to read more in the 31 Days of Change series, click here.