Let's Talk About Life's Seasons

Have you ever wondered why the Lord brings you into or through a particular season? Is it to learn something? Is it to face something? Is it to rest? I'm sure these are just a few of the many questions that may capture our thoughts when we enter into new seasons. Questions I have often asked in this first year of living in Wisconsin are: What am I doing here? What am I supposed to learn? How are you going to use me in this time, Lord? There are 2 buckets I want to talk about in this post today: Residency and Residency... what? Let me explain...

Residency

I came into residency bright eyed and bushy tailed with high hopes and no expectations (or so I thought). I had every intention of coming in to learn and be taught and yet somewhere along the way, I missed my own pep-talk in some ways. I started out by saying no to extra things and areas to serve in because I knew I needed to get my ducks in a row before overwhelming myself with extra things. Success. Check, I felt good about that. I settled into my lane with residency, school, and another part time job late last summer/fall. Not long into this season though, two guests situated themselves on my shoulders; pride and a critical spirit. I was trying to learn and grow while simultaneously struggling with a "know-it-all" attitude and a negative spirit. Some things, sure, were out of my control, but I was the only one who could control how I responded. I feel that I often responded genuinely and well, but my heart's thoughts sometimes felt differently. Ouch. What are you trying to teach me, Lord? What am I missing? Why do I feel so critical? I don't want to be. 

Year two has started now and many changes have accompanied it. I've taken the reigns back and have been challenged in new ways to ask better questions, squash the critical spirit that seems to come naturally in some cases, and cheer on my friends and teammates more. I feel the shift and it's good. 

Residency Part 2


(Residential) Residency in WI has taken many different forms. I went from living alone from August 2021 - June 2022 to now having 2 roommates (gifts, really). I've gotten some cool opportunities to speak, disciple, pour into a ministry I love, build relationships, and just live life. I've attended a massive Christian music festival, had many game nights, been fed some great food, been adopted by a family or two (one of which I have pseudo-nieces), I've cried and laughed (alone and with people), gone snowmobiling, went to a Packers game in the freezing cold, done the Up North cabin thing, biked 50+ miles this summer, have gone kayaking, attended a Brewers game, built some deep friendships, worked hard on grad school, questioned my sanity, and visited just about every coffee shop in the fox cities + a few. 

I have had days of deep grief and sorrow and tension in this season with the questions of "What am I doing here? What's next? In what ways am I supposed to get the most out of this season? Am I doing it right?" Yet, I have also had many days drenched with contentment, joy, encouragement, and belonging.

So, what season are you in? Is it one with a deluge of questions/thoughts that are bombarding your mind and heart or is it carefree with nothing currently rocking your boat? Not that you can't have both simultaneously at points, but for juxtaposition's sake... 

My first year in WI has been full of many different thoughts, feelings, emotions, dreams, and goals. But how are we to face different seasons? Press into Jesus. Whether my days are/were high highs or low lows, the constant is... Jesus. He's led me beside still waters time and time again (Psalm 23). He's reminded me to persevere and praise Him in all things (Galatians 6:9 and Psalm 34). And He works out all things for His good (which is my good, if I love Him... and I do; Romans 8:28).

We are never going to stop having seasons in life until we breathe our last. And thank goodness that's the case! Because with each one, we get to learn and practice new things - how sweet a grace is that?

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