Jun 9, 2010

A Dry, Dry Season.

As I write this post my thoughts are consumed with the things of summer.

There's the camp I have to get Remi to early in the morning and the preschool "water" day that Rocco needs to be dressed and ready for. I am taking care of my 13 year old sister while my parents are out of town and so that requires an extra dose of patience and the ability to find a Chik-fil-A at a moment's notice. There's the swimming pool out back that keeps calling to me, "come, join me, relax" and the bathing suit that keeps hollering back, "stop, put me down, moooove away."

But tonight my mind is also filled with this notion: What if we become so busy with the summer that we completely forget the season?

And by "season" I mean the season that you find yourself in. Believe it or not my life is not just camps and bathing suits, watermelon and grilled corn.

I'm in a real season, here. A real one. And a hard one.

This season...

I am learning that marriage is hard. Its hard and then it gets harder. And just when you think you've figured it out and you know it so well that you can do it with your hands tied behind your back and your eyes closed, it gets really really hard; and therefore I'm learning that some things are not an option and covenants are forever.

I am learning that some day my children are going to look up at me - and whether they ask me aloud or not will not matter - they will look at me and wonder if I did what I was called / created to do...and did I do it with all my might. What will my answer be?

I am learning that making new friends in new places is hard (even when you're super talkative and have a really kick*&% blog). And so you have to go back to the drawing board. What kind of friends do I need? And what kind of friend will I be? And you hope that this time you succeed because other times you have failed. Miserably.

I am learning that the greatest position of power you can ever be in is one of submission.

I am learning that sometimes just when you think you have let something go, let something slide, let something slip beneath the surface, and it is good and tucked away, the Lord says, "Hey, remember this? Let's learn from it, shall we?" And you just wanna puke.

And lastly, I am learning that for everything there is a season. A time to swim. A time to grill. A time to cry. A time to fast. A time to grieve. A time to lighten up. A time for a late night game of water volleyball. And a time to listen, because you know He is about to speak. A time to move. A time to freeze. A time to re-learn the hard stuff. And a time to just sit back and eat a snow cone.

So tell me, what season are you in? And may I give you a friendly reminder that in whatever season you find yourself in - walk it out. Finish it. Because trust me, He believes in summer school. And if you don't get it the first time, there will be a re-peat.

Take it from me.

9 comments:

Krista said...

I feel like I am in the season of learning... and wondering if he wants to shake me and say how many times must I teach you this...
But I will keep on keepin on :)

Darla said...

I just discovered your blog, and this particular post is EXACTLY what I needed to hear (read?) tonight. Thanks.

Brittany said...

this season: well, this season is a season of light and darkness; of finding hope and losing fear; of dreams and nightmares. right now, I'm just in a huge crossroads of working through things that need to be taken care of but being terrified to walk through those in fear of being alone in the process. Oh, it's terrifying.

Sissy said...

Our pastor is doing a series on worry and I discovered that worry is the season I am in. I have two huge worries: my job and adoption. It is hard to just let go and let God do his job of taking care of me.

Heather said...

This is timely for me. I'm in a pruning season. Trying to rid myself of a lot of dead weight so that new growth can occur. This season is just another "summer school" for me to re-learn and apply that I cannot do it all by myself, and I NEED to rely on the help of my LORD always.

Thanks for sharing.

Desha said...

Thank you for sharing this today, Melissa. My husband just found out he is losing his job at the end of the month at a company he has been with for 9 years, and I am terrified. This was a good reminder for me to step back and remember who my security comes from and that I can make it through this.

martha said...

Thanks for your honesty. I get so tired of ladies who use their blogs to elevate themselves. It is God's grace which should be elevated. And his redeeming love and promised strength.... Stay on your knees and stay honest!!!!

Laurie said...

I am a fellow East Texan. I have been thinking about my life alot lately and reading sodme good books which had already gotten me to thinking this very thing. I think I am in Spring....but then suddenly I am back into winter....you know when it snows 4 inches on Easter Sunday type thing! One thing I do know is that the Son always shines....

Melissa said...

I came across your blog from a friend, and thought it was funny that we had the same thing on our minds today. Come over to my blog and visit and you'll see. I love your writing...thanks for sharing!