A time to embrace

Ecclesiastes 3:5

A time to embrace and a time to refrain

There have been many seasons in my life over the past 53 years. Some have been incredibly memorable, and they were markers for a significant life moment. The most notable ones were graduation from High School, getting married, committing my life to Christ, water baptism, birthing our children, becoming empty-nesters, and the birth of our grand daughters. Another milestone stood out to me this week as I left my doctor’s office—menopause.

I knew things were dramatically changing with me. I am not blind to the fact that I am getting older, and I can say that I am content with this stage of life despite the maladies.  Life, and all the comings and goings of the people around me… stood still. It was a Selah moment. I wanted to share the news with Nate right away, like I did in times past announcing a new pregnancy! “We are in menopause!” That’s right—not just me, but we!

I’m sure he was thinking, Oh great! How is this going to play out in our lives over the next several years? It gives added meaning to the phrases that he and I have shared,” I am committed till death us do part,” and “Baby I’m in for the long haul!” These may be tried somewhat over this time, but I am confident in my husband—that he has what it takes to love me in spite of changes in my life!

 I remember another season in my life when I knew we would not have any more children. It was something that I gave much thought to, as I had five pregnancies in less than six years. I loved this season of child-bearing and nursing my sweet little ones. I took great delight in being momma to all of them. I had complications in three of the five pregnancies and had to have cesarean sections with the four live births, so I was strongly counseled by my doctor to not have anymore children.

You might say, “Well you have had four children, you should be content.” I was delighted with the four gifts that God had blessed us with, but there was sorrow in knowing this was the end of that era of my life. I remember so vividly talking to Jesus about this sorrow. He understood, and He was so comforting, but He didn’t leave me there in my sorrow. He encouraged me to embrace the next season that was already upon me—the one of loving and training my children. He had spoken to me several years before this, of a new ministry, and it would be to my children. I remember feeling an excitement of what this was going to entail.

One thing that stood out to me as I was writing this Cassia Offering is that whenever there is an ending to a season of time in our lives, there is absolutely a new beginning! This is a simple truth that brings such hope to us. God’s plans for us are so perfect and good. He is neither dull nor lackadaisical in His ideas for us. His plans on the contrary tend to be larger than we can imagine ourselves. They stretch our natural abilities so that we have to depend on Him for success. They bring such excitement and anticipation of people we will meet and Kingdom things we will be doing!

So, in both of these life changes I had a choice to make; will I embrace the new era with joy? Yes, I must go on with the wonderful life that God has given to me. I love the four distinct seasons every year, and I am learning to embrace and truly look forward to every season of my life.