Tag: Seasons

To the Person Saying Goodbye

To those who are facing emotional goodbyes.

Dear Hopeful,

Perhaps this season brings you relief. It’s been a long year, a tiring year. A year that’s asked so much of you, and may have felt like it offered little in return for all your sacrifices and heartache.

Or maybe you are hoping that this isn’t goodbye. These last few months may have offered you a time to rest and find inspiration again. You don’t want to lose what you have here, yet it feels like life is slipping through your fingers.

This may be goodbye to a season of life, a relationship, or something tangible that’s either held you back or given you courage. Regardless of whether or not you want to say goodbye, stepping away from something familiar is difficult.

Give yourself grace.

Grace for the unexpected tears.

Grace for the laughter when it doesn’t feel appropriate.

Grace for the stumbles and mistakes.

Grace for when you don’t even know how to feel anymore.

You are not weak for needing time to process. Working through your feelings is the only way to find peace and move forward.

Goodbyes are inevitable, but so are new beginnings. Allow yourself to be excited for the future, no matter what unknowns lie ahead.

No matter what, don’t give up hoping. Life will get better, even if “better” simply means finding peace and being grateful even through hardships.

You are loved. ❤

Sincerely,

Hannah

An Endless Journey Towards Healing

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I will be sharing my personal story to encourage you on your journey ❤

It was like a flip of the switch. Suddenly, the easygoing, joyful young girl I used to recognize was gone. In her place came an overbearing, extremely sensitive, critical little monster.

And that monster was me.

Though a series of difficult events were unfolding in my life, I can’t pinpoint any of them as the root cause of this change. It just…happened.

For a long time, I saw myself as this monster. This person who couldn’t be pleased, who drowned in her own misery when alone. This person who thought nobody wanted to be her friend, when really there were people around who just didn’t notice. And there were some who did notice, but she couldn’t seem to see them at the time.

I look at the past like another lifetime. Another person acting out my life.

And it’s true that much has changed, both in the way I see the world now, and the world itself. But we can’t completely separate ourselves from previous parts of our journey. Pretending like those things don’t bother us anymore is just a disservice to everybody.

Last summer, many of the challenges I faced at the start of my mental health journey resurfaced. But instead of working through them, I pushed them down.

“I’m not the weak, pathetic person I used to be,” I told myself. “I’m over all that.”

But acting like that person was weak and pathetic only caused me further harm. It made me think that I had to be those negative attributes if I was struggling mentally.

I wasn’t weak; I was worn-out and tired. I wasn’t pathetic; I was hungry for the satisfaction and healing that only God can bring.

That was me then, at age 15. That was me last summer. And that is still me today.

When you don’t deal with something, it comes back to face you sooner or later. Sure enough, after being in an unhealthy environment in the fall, I had to remove myself from that community in order to find the deeper healing I needed.

But I can’t say that’s the end of my story.

Sometimes it feels endless, searching for healing. As one thing is resolved, another comes up. But what if we look at each day as a new chance for more than just stress and anxiety?

Every day is a new chance for healing. For grace. For peace.

That also means that every day can be a challenge of trying to accept those gifts from God. It means not feeling worthy of them. It means fighting with my thoughts while trying to focus on the things that actually matter to me.

And it means making healing matter to me.

Mental health can’t be something we push off to tomorrow. You know this. Your mind won’t let you forget it.

Let today be the day that you start to take care of yourself, no matter what others think.

Not everyone will understand. That’s something I had to learn as I’ve begun to take steps towards taking care of myself this year.

But that’s okay. Not everyone needs to understand.

God understands. He designed you, after all, and He will use your story for great things.

It may be hard to see now, but you are growing. You are beautiful, with all your broken pieces. You don’t need to fix yourself. You just need to let the ultimate Healer restore you. ❤

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I encourage you to share your story with others. It doesn’t have to be on a big platform or even in public. You can share it with a friend or another loved one. Someone who wants the best for you.

Our stories matter. Sure, they don’t reflect every person’s story. No single story can, and we don’t need to burden ourselves with that great of a task.

Just sharing your story is enough to inspire and empower people. To help them know that they are not alone.

You are not alone. ❤

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.

Mark 12:30-31

Don’t Be Upset When God Gives You What You Asked For

What if I told you that God answers all your prayers, just not in the way you expect?

I’ve heard so many stories of Christians leaving their faith because God “didn’t come through for them”. God didn’t give them the person, the opportunity, or the emotion they were hoping for. God was too late.

And why have Christians been set up to believe that God will give them what they want? Because the Bible says so!

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 7:7

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

John 14:13-14

The list could go on and on. Yet we don’t always get what we ask for, do we?

Often, we try to use logic to explain away the disappointment. God can’t possibly give everyone what they want, right? What about prayers that contradict each other or those that come from evil intentions?

While those remarks are reasonable, they also place a limit on God’s power. God could make it all work, if that was how things should be.

I believe that God does give us what we ask for. But there are two qualifications that we often forget about when things don’t work out the way we planned.

The first comes from other verses regarding God’s answers to our prayers.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 15:7

Often, we forget about our end of the bargain. We need to want what God wants in order for our requests to be granted. When we align our will with God’s, we will never be disappointed.

God will give us a starting point towards the end goal, but we need to actively participate in this relationship too. It’s like a scholarship for college. An organization believes in you and will fund your way, but you need to do the actual work of obtaining the degree.

God gives you the means, but you have the free will to decide if you will use those gifts to become the person you were created to be, the best version of yourself, or let those blessings slip away.

The second thing to think about is that God does answer every prayer, but He never promises to answer them in the way we thought He would.

Imagine that you are asking to grow in patience. Don’t be surprised if that means you will find yourself surrounded by people who push your buttons. Of course, you didn’t ask God to give you annoying people, but you will certainly grow in patience after the experience.

Or consider the noble prayer of asking for greater trust in God. You will likely be pushed out of your comfort zone with the only option to either trust God or bail off the ship. That may not be pleasant, but you certainly won’t be the same afterwards.

Even prayers like asking God for a loving marriage partner or a career that makes a difference can result in seasons of waiting or humbling jobs that will prepare you for the person or opportunity you desire.

God will give you what you need, but He wants you to be equipped first.

I believe that God answers every prayer because I have often made requests such as those listed above, and found myself in troubling, trying situations. Through the thick of it, I get upset, wondering if God ever answered my prayers.

But when I look back, I am amazed by how those were the seasons I learned the most and came out of the strongest. I often got what I asked for, whether that was comfort from God, a new experience, or growth. But it didn’t come in the form that I had envisioned, which is why I couldn’t appreciate what was happening in the moment.

Fortunately, we have a very patient and understanding God, who is willing to wait for us to figure things out before we are grateful.

This doesn’t mean you should stop asking God for things, especially virtues or traits that would make you more like Christ, even though the way to get those things may be difficult. Instead, I hope these words can encourage you during the journey.

God has not forgotten you. He has heard you and He will transform you into the person you were created to be.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:6-8

Nothing Will Be Wasted

Do you struggle with finding purpose during seasons of waiting?

Last weekend, I was fortunate enough to be able to visit a dear friend in Pennsylvania. I had to schedule the trip around my classes, which meant I was only there for one full day.

As I was waiting at the airport on my way home, I thought, “Wow, I’ve spent almost as much time at the airport and on planes as I have with my friend during this trip! How irritating!”

During the five hour flight back, I started writing in my journal about the events of the past two days. Chuckling, I realized many of the humorous stories occurred during my time at the airport.

Without the flight, I wouldn’t have had the time with my friend, nor would I have a complete story. I might even argue that the airport time was as essential to the trip as the time in Pennsylvania itself.

When we are waiting for something, whether it be a breakthrough, the achievement of a goal, or a simply happier season, the waiting period can feel endless and purposeless. But in reality, all of it is essential to the story of your life.

Without the waiting, you wouldn’t be prepared for what’s ahead. You wouldn’t have grown or changed or discovered the things you were meant to. The waiting is essential to the story because it reveals God’s faithfulness.

And when you look back, aren’t some of the funniest, most humbling moments during the waiting process? God uses those moments to bring us closer to Him as we embrace our humanity.

It can be very irritating to be waiting. But as you wait, take time to rest. Take time to discover and learn. Take time to simply be.

You will never get this time back, so why not make the most of it?

We will always be waiting for something or someone, even after we’ve gotten what we were previously waiting for. That doesn’t mean our whole lives are a waste. It just means we always have something to look forward to.

So today, trust God that He will come through in your life. Trust that this season will not be wasted and take the time to cherish every moment of it.

Throw yourselves into the work of the Master (God), confident that nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (MSG)

To the Person Who Needs to Let Go

The first of many letters to my faithful readers ❤

I’m starting a new series sharing journal entires I’ve written (either to myself, God, or others) that I believe will encourage you. Each post will be dedicated to the person who I best believe will benefit from these simple words. Hopefully that person is you today. ❤

Today’s journal entry comes from last August.

Dear You Who May Relate,

Recently I’ve been sad for many reasons, but a big one is the fear of letting go. I’m scared of letting go of people. I’m scared I won’t make new friends. I’m scared of leaving my job and I’m worried I won’t find a job as meaningful. I’m scared all my relationships will change.

But today, something I’ve been trying to repeat to myself finally clicked.

If I hold too tightly to the past, I’ll miss what’s coming. If I allow the past to dictate the present and future, then things won’t get better. But if I have hope for each brand new day, then I can finally experience true joy and rest. Maybe each new day is one step closer to meeting a new friend or mentor or achieving a dream?

What if–instead of dread–I can feel excited for the new season? Letting go is not abandoning others–it’s leaving room for joy and expectation of God’s promises.

And, as Hannah six months later, I can confirm that the road to this new season is rocky, but also lined with unexpected blessings and growth opportunities.

Hope is not lost–not for either of us. God has never (and will never) leave your side. You are not alone.

Love, Hannah ❤

What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him.

1 Corinthians 2:9

“Letting go” does not mean you’re giving up, it just means that after all this time, you are finally beginning to see even without the closure: You are worth the new beginning.

Morgan Harper Nichols

Joy Can Be Found in Every Season

No matter what season you’re in, joy can still be found.

Does each new season of life come abruptly for you? In certain seasons, this change may be warmly welcomed. But in others, this shift feels like the rug has been torn out from under your feet.

Each season is unique and special, both in its pain and healing. But what if I told you that joy can be found in every season, even the most difficult?

Every individual’s life is different, but I often think of life as having five general seasons (not always cycling in the same order).

  1. A season of preparation (also thought of as waiting, though I’ll explain the difference in word choice momentarily)
  2. A season of loss
  3. A season of trials
  4. A season of rest and healing
  5. A season of new opportunities

Now, once again, I’d like to clarify that our lives are too complex to be minimize and shoved into a set of five boxes. However, for the sake of simplicity, we will stick to these five main categories for today. I also realize that my life doesn’t mirror everyone’s lives, but I will use personal illustrations because these seasons have been so clearly reflected throughout my past year.

I use the word preparation rather than waiting because I believe we are waiting in every season. In a season of preparation, we are eagerly anticipating what’s to come. In a season of loss, we are waiting for the pain to ease. In times of testing and trials, we are waiting for our hard work and persistence to pay off. When we are recovering from fast-moving seasons, we are waiting to feel ourselves again. And when we are being restored, we are waiting to see what comes next.

Yet, through everything, we can still have hope and joy.

The SEason of Preparation

I distinctly remember this season starting. I had just graduated and the future felt so bright and hopeful. Yet, I was overcome by a sense of longing, a desire to move forward faster. Little did I know all that lie ahead.

Now, I firmly believe that preparing is an active word. When we feel stagnant in our current states, we must take the time God is giving us to be with Him, encourage others, and spend time in the Bible. We must be ready for what’s to come, yet ultimately trusting God with whatever the future holds.

How can we have joy when life feels boring?

We can reflect on the past and all that God has done through our different stages of life. We can develop our dreams and see how they align with God’s will for us. We can get excited about the future while being intentional about noticing what’s beautiful in the present.

More than any other season, intentionality is key as we prepare for what God has in store for us. Our time won’t feel wasted when we know our efforts are being put to good use.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

The season of loss

This is arguably the most difficult season to find joy. When a loved one or a dream is stripped away from us, we are left feeling wounded, abandoned, and empty.

During this season, we are tempted to escape from the deep healing God is trying to stir within us. Last summer, I experienced loss and a sense of impending doom for the future. I wanted to run away from my problems, and I tried to do that, only to be faced with the truth.

God only wants the best for us. When we are experiencing pain, He is using that to draw us closer to Him. That doesn’t mean we should belittle our pain or brush off the efforts of others to relieve it.

Rather, we should allow ourselves to feel the depth of our pain and heartache. We may not always be in safe places to do this, but when we are given the opportunity, we must be honest with our feelings.

I have often found that my most intimate moments with God come out of seasons of disappointment, loneliness, and grief.

Allow yourself to be immersed in God’s comfort and love. Let these truths sink in:

You are loved.

You are important.

This person, this dream, this opportunity matters.

Your feelings matter.

You are going to get through this, one day at a time.

You can still find joy in this season by realizing you have the unique opportunity to feel God’s very presence in your life. You are able to relate to Jesus’ pain in a way you never have before. And ultimately, this season will lead to deeper healing.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.  And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

The season of Trials

This season may feel as difficult as the season of loss, yet for different reasons. Instead of feeling immense sadness or grief, you are faced with feelings of frustration and discouragement. You may even wonder whether or not you have a purpose.

You may be tempted to give up when the end feels so far away, yet our greatest strength comes from our most trying circumstances.

We experience the most growth during our tests of faith and perseverance. This growth should not be taken lightly. It is a true gift to be able to develop the skills and characteristics God has placed within us.

We can find joy in the fact that we are becoming more and more like Jesus the longer we follow Him and allow His love to infiltrate every aspect of our lives.

Yes, you are being challenged, and yes, you deserve time to rest. You may feel stretched to the limits, perhaps both emotionally and physically. But you can trust that this time is not being wasted.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

The season of rest and healing

Though some would rather choose to “skip” this season, we all must take the time to rest and heal from the strain life puts on us.

You are not weak for needing rest. You are not weak for needing time to heal. You are certainly not weak for asking for help during this season, whether it be from a trusted mentor, a close friend, or a professional skilled in helping others work through trauma.

Now, this season may not come after the “most traumatic incident of your life”. We need to periodically take the time to recover so that we are able to show up as our best selves during the seasons that ask a lot of us. Even the most skilled warriors and leaders in the Bible took time to rest. God commanded it, that’s why He built it into our weekly schedule.

But our society makes us feel insufficient when we aren’t able to carry the weight of the world alone any longer. How can we respond to that with joy?

By accepting the fact that yes, we are all insufficient. We need Jesus to carry our burdens with us and give us the deep healing we desire. And once you accept the restoration Jesus offers, you will begin to feel fully yourself, deeply known and loved by God.

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said.

Hebrews 4:1-3

THe Season of New opportunities

I have recently come out of a season of healing. Though I put every last bit of myself into my work, relationships, and education, I plummeted into the season of healing as a shell of myself. I am so thankful to have had several weeks to rest and do things that bring me joy. This has prepared me for the season I believe to be entering, a season of new opportunities.

Over the past few days, I have been overwhelmed by new opportunities and fresh starts. Never have I actually entered a new year with this many changes.

While this is exciting, it is also slightly frightening. After so much has happened, it is hard to believe that good can really come out of life.

During this season, we face immense pressure to be grateful and happy. But we can’t force those feelings. Gratitude is important, but must come wholeheartedly. Happiness doesn’t last, not the way joy does.

Perhaps you are also in this season, or have experienced the desire to be joyful, yet you aren’t sure how to make these feelings appear.

The truth is, joy comes slowly but surely. It isn’t necessarily the initial spark of excitement or eagerness that comes when an opportunity is first presented to us. It isn’t even the relief that comes once things work out. It is in the process of trusting that God is using our gifts and diligence for good.

So, despite the unknowns lying ahead, you can have hope that everything will work out according to God’s faithful plan.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17

What If…It’s Gonna Be Okay?

Hope for when life is confusing.

I don’t know about you, but for me, when life doesn’t go the way I hoped, I start questioning all my decisions. I get angry at myself for not choosing the opposite choice, assuring myself that if I had only known better, things wouldn’t have ended up this way. If I had picked a different school, became friends with someone else, researched more before making a choice…the list of what ifs could go on and on.

But what if…

The reason why you didn’t know was so that you could grow?

Just think about it. If you hadn’t made that mistake, would you still be the person you are today? If you hadn’t gotten into that rough situation, would you still be the compassionate and understanding individual you are now? You may not feel strong, but the truth is, with every difficult season, you are growing into a stronger person.

And what’s the worst that could happen if you dare to believe that the future is bright? What if this isn’t the end? What if this is the beginning of something amazing?

I once heard that the one thing that elevates humans above other species is our imagination. This imagination can cause our minds to run wild with fears, doubts, and questions. Questions that trap us in the past, ruminating over all the scenarios that could have been.

But I like to think of imagination as one of life’s greatest blessings. What if your imagination allows you to see the potential in others, the light that God has placed inside each of us? What if your imagination restores your hope in yourself?

You can be rest assured that no matter what your life looks like right now, yes, you are capable of good things. Yes, there is more ahead of you. Yes, you aren’t a mistake.

Today, on the day dedicated to gratitude, I want you to soak in the goodness of God’s promises. He calls you chosen. Forgiven. Blessed. Chosen. Loved.

When we focus on all we have to be grateful for, our hope is restored. We aren’t sugarcoating the past or only focusing on its downfalls. We are recognizing how both the good and the painful have shaped us into who we are today.

And that person, no matter how you are showing up today, is amazing.

So thankful for you. ❤

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

1 Timothy 4:4-5

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 106:1

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

    his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

Changing Seasons

Is change difficult for you? As the leaves are changing color around us, may we also be ready and willing to embrace our changing circumstances.

As I sit here and write, my mind is whirling with thoughts, worries, and hopes for the next season of my life. Today will be the last day (for a while) of writing from my usual chair in my room. I have a clear view of a maple tree outside, a tree that has weathered many storms, watched its companion tree fall, and shaded our house during the heat of the summer. Though it has swayed and it has lost, it has remained tall and strong, growing each day.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not the biggest fan of change. It used to be worse, though. Even at the age of 9, I refused to admit I was turning 10 until much after my birthday. Based on all the posts I’ve written about letting go, you can probably tell my opinion of change has only gradually improved…

The past can make us both excited and fearful for the future. We can be excited because perhaps this current season is draining, and we long for a season of rest. Or maybe this is a slow season and we look forward to things getting a little more interesting.

But perhaps we are looking back at the past and thinking about all we’ve gone through. Though we’ve made it through every battle we’ve faced, we are still worried a harder one will follow.

God doesn’t lie to us about seasons. There will be seasons of growth, seasons of joy, seasons of trials, and seasons of loss. There will be so many seasons of your life that you won’t even be able to remember them all. But the one thing that doesn’t change, through every single season, is God.

God is for you. He is fighting for you when you don’t feel strong enough to fight for yourself. He is rooting for you and cheering you on. He is teaching you lovingly when you must learn from a mistake. He is waiting for you to turn to Him. No, He’s actually running to you even when you aren’t ready to run to Him yet. He is constantly loving you.

No matter what is changing in your life, remember that God is with you through it all. He will never change. He is faithful.

You are stronger than you think. Instead of fearing the future when thinking of the past, remember how you have grown with each new challenge. You have lost and you have gained. You have had to go through painful change, but you have become a better person out of it. You are just like the beautiful tree out my window. You have weathered many storms, yet you are still standing. And that, my friend, is worth celebrating.

For the embarrassing moments, look back and laugh. For the joyful moments, cherish them and thank God for them. For the moments of grief, allow God’s comfort to fill your heart as you remember that this is not the end of anyone’s journey. And for the moments of hardship, cling onto the hope that this season will eventually end.

You are loved far beyond your imagination. ❤

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.”

Acts 1:7

 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Trusting God with Our Unknowns

Are you struggling to let go because you didn’t get the closure or answers you hoped for?

Growth can be painful. Change can be painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.

Charles Spurgeon

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “Let go and let God”. People debated that phrase within the faith community because some interpreted it as a lack of effort on our part. When we simply let go and let God, they believe we aren’t taking ownership over our situations.

I don’t know if I’m particularly a fan of this phrase, but I do think it has some value to it. Yes, we need to be proactive and not expect God to just handle everything while we sit back and relax. But when we’ve done everything we can and we need to let go, that’s when it’s time to step back and remember that God is much more powerful and capable than we are.

I’ll even go one step further by saying we should go into every situation with the mindset that we are not in control and we are walking hand-in-hand with the Holy Spirit, who is in control and can direct us to the right choices.

There’s a difference between being proactive and being controlling. When we are being proactive, we are listening to the Holy Spirit, not allowing our joy and contentment come from the outcome of our situations, and willing to do whatever God leads us to do. When we are struggling to be in control, we are grasping at any loose threads that bring us comfort, trying to find solace in whatever small victories may come, even at the expense of our own wellbeing. When we are working so hard at being in control, we miss the bigger picture. We forget why we are doing what we’re doing in the first place, even if it started out as a wonderful, beautiful thing.

To be honest, this summer, my actions have slowly morphed from being proactive to being controlling. The hardest time to “let God” take over is when we are faced with unknowns. These unknowns fill our hearts with anxiety, confusion, and panic. When we can’t see the end result, we are fixated on the limited view we have of the present.

God called me into a few different situations that required patience, dedication, and compassion. I believe I did everything I could to help. But then, God called me to step back, and that’s when I faltered. I didn’t want to step back. I didn’t want to let go. If I let go, I’d feel like a failure. “There’s always more I can do”, I thought.

Of course there’s always more we can do. But there isn’t always more we should do.

I’ll admit it, there’s a thrill that comes when people rely on me. It gives me a sense of purpose, which is good, but that can’t be where my purpose comes from. My purpose, and your purpose, has to come from God. Because while He doesn’t promise that the purposes found in people or careers will be fulfilled, He does promise that our purposes found in Him will flourish.

Sometimes God isn’t only calling us out of a situation for our benefit. While yes, the reason may be to renew your energy, it could also be because the person you’re helping is relying too heavily on you. They are turning to you as their crutch rather than turning to God for their healing.

Think about it this way. If you’ve ever broken a leg, or seen someone with a broken leg, you’ve realized how important crutches can be to help them be able to move. While crutches are helpful and necessary for a time, they still can’t do everything for the injured person. Eventually, the person will have to do the hard work of physical therapy in order to experience full healing. Though the therapy may be more painful, just like growing and turning to God during our difficulties can be harder than finding someone to rant to, it ultimately brings the lasting results.

It’s really hard, devastating even, to be faced with unknowns. I can’t tell you whether or not this person is still meant to be in your life. I can’t tell you why they left. I can’t, and shouldn’t, explain away all the feelings you are experiencing in this season of change.

What I can say, however, is that God loves both you and this person even more than anyone else ever could. Trust Him to take care of them. Trust Him to take care of you. There never would’ve been any of us without God. He created all of us for a reason and He won’t ever give up on us.

So, perhaps you should walk out in faith today and not give up on Him.

It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace.

Isaiah 55:11-12

He has saved us and called us to a holy life–not because of anything we have done, but because of His own purpose and grace.

2 Timothy 1:9

A Season of Preparation

Are you in a season of preparation right now? Here’s encouragement when God’s plans are different than ours.

Sometimes, God really wants to make things clear to us. We avoid it, we dismiss it, we try to forget about it. But God will continue to bring it to mind until we must admit that He’s trying to tell us something.

That happened to me today. A motivational influencer shared a video where we were supposed to take a random screenshot and whatever word was on the screen we landed on would be our “word of the month”. When I first did it, I got preparation. I rolled my eyes and thought, “I’m already prepared. Why did I get this word? It’s boring.” Then I proceeded to try again, hoping for a different word, and even purposely waiting until a different time to take the screenshot.

But yet again, I managed to land on “preparation”. I saved the photo and stared at it a moment. This must mean something. The longer I thought about it, the more I realized that this word is very applicable to the situation I’m in right now. I’m in a season of transition, and I’ve been restless. I’ve been wanting to do more, not desiring to wait for God. But God is using this season to prepare me for what’s next, even when I don’t know what that “next” is.

The more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s pretty amazing that God’s the one in control. He’s the only one who knows the future and when He doesn’t give us what we want, it’s because He’s doing something better.

Take graduation weekend, for example.

We had family over from California and we were hoping to bring them around Seattle. However, throughout the entire weekend, there was pouring rain. I’m sure many families of graduates, including mine, were hoping and praying for sunshine, yet all we got was rain.

God still provided for us, by giving us the idea to travel over the mountains to a small town that had drier weather. But He had an even bigger plan in store.

Two weeks later, we experienced the worst heatwave I’ve ever been through. We reached record-high temperatures. Yet God provided rain earlier to protect our plants and prevent wildfires. Had all our plants shriveled up and died or worse, we experience the effects of fires, we would be in a much dire situation than getting a little wet during a ceremony.

God knew what was going to happen and that’s why He didn’t answer our earlier prayers the way we had hoped. But in fact, He was looking out for us, and now I’m grateful for the rain.

I’m not sure about you, but being in a season of preparation is hard. God challenges us and tests us to make sure we are strong enough for what’s ahead. But as my mom eloquently stated, “God knows the future, and He will equip you for what’s ahead.”

You are being equipped right now. You may not know why. You may think God’s tactics are strange. But hey, God’s logic is not our logic, and that makes life a lot more interesting.

But if you listen and grow in the ways God’s calling you, you will be ready.

 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—with the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 equip you with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to Him forever and ever.

Hebrews 13:20-21