Summertime & Snowmen
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Summertime & Snowmen
By: Joan AdamsI've had an emptiness in my mind, especially over the past year, when it comes to defining what role passion plays in my current life season.One day recently, my husband, Keith, asked me the question that I've asked and answered at several points throughout my life."If you could shape and pursue a job for yourself, what would it be?"Some seasons that question would have been quickly answered and clear in my mind. In my 20s, I would have answered: "the best mom and wife I can be, and enjoy my kids."In my 30s, "the best mom and wife I can be, enjoy my kids, and pursue some new career opportunities where I can lead and grow."In my 40s, it would be: "the best mom and wife I can be and to enjoy my kids ...and to pursue new career opportunities where I can lead and grow ...and become a challenging mentor to a younger generation coming behind me."If you could shape and pursue a job for yourself, what would it be?"Now in my 50s, the answer to that is less clear.And I have a waning desire to add one more thing to the list. I find myself looking at that list I had set out to do in my 20s, 30s, and 40s and thinking... "NO WONDER I'M TIRED!"I had a full-time job in my twenties (wife and mom) and added a full-time (teacher and admin). And then added at least another part-time job (learning how to move from mentee to mentor).I really never released one aspiration and moved to a new one. Or let go of original desires or allowed them to move into new positions of priority.I wanted it all in every season. Do you see the dilemma?I clearly don't get the meaning of the word "season." A life season is marked as a period when certain normalcy and rhythm exists.Transitions from one season to another demand the upheaval of the typical and movement into a new life pattern. The problem is, I tend to want to bask in the summer and build the snowman.I completely exhaust myself because I'm spending energy on something physically impossible. Summertime and snowmen can't coexist; neither do old and new seasons.
I believe my Creator God, who intentionally created me with limits, gives me seasons to remind me that I can't have it all.
My limits can be a highway to focus and presence in my current season or a recipe for exhaustion in trying to be and have it all. In God's graciousness, He has reminded me today of seasons and the sufficiency I have in Him through whatever season I am embracing.I really long to truly be ME. Not the mother version of me, or the wife version of me, or the employee version of me, or the mentor version of me.ME, in this season, comfortable in my skin, engaging each circumstance and opportunity with the fullness of who God made me to be.In each season, I'm living to glorify God and make Him known through my life. I'm guessing I'm not alone. I'm pretty sure some of my other brothers and sisters have feet in more than one season.What would it look like if we lived in the fullness of our season? How much energy could be reallocated to our present season by simply releasing the grip on the past season? I'm on a journey to find out! Want to join me?[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]