Seasons

Right now, where I live is rapidly transitioning from Spring to Summer. It seems like kind of a big leap this year but I might think that every year as I’d prefer a more lazy meander to summer.

Recently a friend sent me a devotional about seasons in our lives. It caused me to think about what “season” I might currently be experiencing emotionally, mentally and/or spiritually. My seasons change based on several different things but one of the most impactful things is the people around me. I tend to absorb emotions from others and because I know that, I’m generally pretty good at limiting impact.

But I’ve also come through a season where my self-protection had to be set aside. And at the end of that, I found myself unexpectedly in winter.

Wintering for me is characterized by those things one often associates with winter: lack of growth, monochrome landscape, a struggle with energy and resilience. There is a requirement for a time of rest, retreat, and caretaking. Sometimes there is also a requirement for help from others.

I’m not good at all about seeking help from others, let alone actually talking about what I might be feeling. Egads! Feelings? But as I’ve gotten older, and honestly as I’ve learned to shelter with my husband, it’s gotten less uncomfortable. Never comfortable but less uncomfortable.

Emotional summer, spring and fall don’t throw me like emotional winter does. I’m great with growth, and planting, and harvesting and even the slowing down of fall. But winter feels desolate and lonely. It often surprises me in the midst of good things. In the midst of summer for pity sake!

What I now know after many life decades is seasons change and come back around. Each season has a little bit different requirement for my overall health. It is only when I recognize the season I’m in and the things I require, especially from others, to navigate that season well, that I gain any resilience. God has done a good work in me over a rather long period of time. He has surrounded me with communities which are safe to seek help or even just to acknowledge my season.

It’s getting kinda summery here!