It’s a New Season

Hello again. It’s been a long time. You know, sometimes life just grabs hold and starts heading down a road and all you can do is go along for the ride. Have you been there? 

All my good intentions of writing became a dream. Time, desire, and the right words seemed to fly out the window and I kept thinking that tomorrow would be a better time to sit down and start again. But, months of tomorrows went by and before I knew it, the summer was gone and my pages were blank. 

So, here I am again, reflecting on a “simplified” life that got chaotic and busy once again. How did I let that happen? What happened to the consolation of the past where I felt such a closeness to the Lord and I couldn’t stop the prayers and the words from flowing? Did I do something wrong? Did I make some choices which took me from peace and calm to crazy and stressed? Did I shift back to Martha and leave Mary in the dust? 

Here’s what I find when I reflect on it all. This idea keeps coming back to me. 

I had a wonderful time of prayer and growth in the Lord. I sat at His feet for months and felt His presence and saw prayers answered. I gained insight and felt His call on my heart to grow my ministry in the places He planted me. But, then life had some twists and turns and I realized that I can see the past few months of busy activity, emotional hills and valleys, and a sometimes, dryness in my spiritual journey as a problem or as a new season that I had to walk through. 

I need to evaluate how I walked this recent path and how the months of joy and peace before affected how I responded to the challenges I just faced. How did those lessons on trusting Him and discerning His Will, shape how I worked, how I prayed for things, and how I made decisions that affected those around me? 

Yes, life wasn’t as simple this summer. I had many Martha moments, but I can look back and now and see a Mary attitude that was laying underneath and I can see clearly God’s hand at work. He gave me a time of consolation that strengthened my “God Muscles” and helped me walk a new path with courage and clarity. There are rhythms to life and we have to be able to walk in and out of them with Jesus by our side and not allow them to toss us around. 

My life got busier. Kids were graduating left and right. Family needs were growing. Summer schedules were not easier and more laid back, they were fast and furious. My business took an upturn and work became a little more demanding. There were big changes that caused emotional situations and we are still walking through some of those now. But, the season I lived through during the first part of this year was the rock that allowed me to navigate through the summer. 

And guess what? Heading into the Fall, I’m looking forward to what the Lord will do. 

Here’s my plan:
A little bit more time with Him each day. 
Praying and walking with my family through some new relationships and discernment.
Serving wonderful people through my business and ministry. 
And hopefully, more words to put down on paper and share with you. Are you willing to walk with me again and see what the Lord wants to show us? I hope so. 

See you here again soon. 
Keep discovering the Mary within you, even when you feel like Martha. 

XOXO,
Barb