Reflecting back I realized what I’ve been through; how I got through; is why I am who I am today. When I was in school, my professor asked, “In ten years from now do you think that you are going to have the same belief system and values? Or, are you pretty much going to remain the same? Two of us said, “No” the majority of the class said, “Yes, the would have the same beliefs and values.” I was one of the two who said, “No.”
I know that I will value and believe some of the same things in 10 years, but I don’t think I could be the same. You get older, wiser, have more to value or a better definition of what it is and then I thought back to who I was ten years ago. That girl and this woman do not have the same values.
Apparently, I have a conviction and a strong belief in God now which I didn’t have before. I wasn’t always a Jesus Girl. The same enthusiasm I have for my faith I had in living in the world. I was a party girl searching for peace and comfort in all the wrong places and things. I was living daily anxious and frustrated, and then I tried something different. It happens we grow up, and we experience life and the seasons and looking back I have to say that through the seasons I have learned a few things that I will keep through the next ten years and hope to add more:
Season of Trust
There was a season that my family went through that we had nothing but to rely on and trust in God to get us through. When I say nothing, I mean that very literally “we had nothing.” Everything had been stripped from us along with our pride and humility. I like to say, “we ran as far as the world could take us.” Living like the “Jones‘” left us at our rock bottom. Only then did we begin to trust in God how we should with total and complete confidence because we didn’t have anything other option.
Looking back it was that “Fix it Jesus” mentality like, “Okay, Lord I’ve done everything that I could do. I’ve messed everything up, and I could use your help to bail me out.” Like the kind, good Father that He is He not only delivered us but that reliance and trust in Him brought my family into an intimate relationship with God. It was when we became FaithFueled.
Season of Be Still
Through God’s mercy we began to rebound, but then God started to prune another area in my temple; obedience. God sat me down, shut me up, and through devotion, Bible study, prayer, and worship taught me to wait on God.Through much persistence, God asked me to “Be Still.” I was speaking with a good friend one day, and she said something that made me think of this season.
Before Jesus kept the 12 disciples very close to Him before He would be crucified and then send them out into the world to evangelize. During my season of stillness, all I had was to take care of my family and dive headfirst into the Word. I studied inductively, attended Bible Study I submerged myself in the Word and learned so much about “learning the Bible.” It is now how I study daily, and I feel crucial in my daily walk with God. I look back on those two years and remember being ungrateful for the season of rest and God continually reminding me it was but a moment. Hindsight 20/20 because I don’t think I’d have the stamina for that season. It’s also when I was very depressed and abused food for comfort. Then I learned about prayer.
Season of Prayer
Everyone knows how to pray. There’s all kind of prayers: rehearsed prayers you say for grace or your kids know, “fix it Jesus” prayers, “genie” prayers, and then there’s prayer. Having an intimate conversation opening your heart to God with your gratitude and appeal. At the time, of course, I didn’t realize the power of prayer. I knew praying was talking to God but until I started journaling, researching and doing some heavy praying; it’s all that people say and more. Like anything you have to practice the skill often and do it often in this case-pray often or (“Pray without ceasing,” 1 Thess 5;16)
I used to be one of those people who say, I’m praying for you and honestly, didn’t always do it. Then I started reading, praying and reading more and praying more and learned. Praying for someone is the easier yet most powerful thing you can do for a person.
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:22
Now, if I say I am praying for you if I don’t do it that moment which I usually do because it only takes a moment. We waste our time on so many other things taking 2-3 minutes to pray for a friend, family, peace; strength isn’t much. When you journal or track them and realize that God is busier than you think because He does answer. I have a journal and a prayer box.
Boxing it all Up
My journal idea came from a friend, Antracia Mooring who writes on her blog Unfolding Words. I adopted the approach and journal often, (not daily I’m working on that” and looking back on answered prayers is such an uplifting feeling. Then my prayer box came from a friend and mentored introduced me to the idea of putting my prayers in a box and then giving it to God. Well, I went through that box, and the amount of answered prayers was so confirming. All but one had been answered at the moment and some I had forgotten. It made me appreciate my season even more.
I think God likes to surprise us like we want to give to do for our kids or loved ones. We do those things for the look of excitement on their face and the joy. When we’re blessed with an answered prayer, I don’t know about you, but I jump around dancing and singing like a child who just got a surprise. Its unexpected out of the blue and nothing that I have expected that’s when I know, “Yep, God that was you and thank you!” I have grown in patience and intimacy with God through this season and continue to glean from it.
Season of Focus & Legacy
I am now in a season of focus it’s what was my “word” for 2016 and has carried on into 2017. With all that has fone on this year (College, Started working after 12 years of staying at home, three daughters and Prepping for my first Figure Competition). I need to remember moment by moment to focus on God first and foremost and let Him lead me through the rest. This year in prayer and different conversations and signs the word “legacy” has presented itself. With all life busyness, I don’t have much hindsight about this season as of yet, but I have been learning some new “skills” for strengthening my focus and will probably be sharing my journey. Regardless of what season looks like; doing life with God has made it worth every trial and triumph.
“Set your eyes on the things above and not the things of this earth.” Colossians 3:2
When looking back do you see a theme to your seasons in life?
Original Post 1.16.17 updated
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