Seasons

I was abruptly reminded today through our warm, muggy weather that the seasons are about to change. I should be thankful...rarely do we even have a year where we feel like we experience seasons. We just alternate between muggy, hot days and muggier, hotter days! But still, I can't help but be sad that the crisp, cool air of winter is about to be gone for another 8 months...while I know we may have a few nice days in Spring, I am preparing myself for the onslaught of Texas heat! I guess it is the Canadian in me that prefers the cooler weather.

There is a song by Nicole Nordeman that compares the seasons of the year to our life in Christ. It is such an incredible song. The winter is compared to our life being dead without Him, and the Spring represents new life through His sacrifice. It is awesome.

I have been pondering lately not just my life in Christ and how that changes, but also the seasons in life that we experience as we grow older. I am amazed looking back at the seasons...growing up and going to school, then experiencing the freedom and sometimes shocking truths of life revealed in college, next marrying the man of my dreams, working in the real world for the first time and finishing school, and finally settling down in a town for more than a year as a young married couple. It has been really cool to see how different seasons have shaped us and continue to change our view on life and even of each other in our marriage. I have so enjoyed watching my friends transition into yet another season as they experience motherhood for the first time, and I enjoy dreaming about the day when Adam and I will enter into the season of parenthood together.

I can't help but thank God for never abandoning us in our seasons...some are definitely more enjoyable than others. Sometimes we are on the mountaintop, savoring every moment of beauty and happiness, while other times we are anxiously waiting for the pain to end as we suffer for a little while (or sometimes a long while) in the valley. Sometimes we are walking close with Him living out His word, while other times we make decisions that are not in line with His will. Yet through it all, He is there, perfectly planning the seasons in our lives and orchestrating them to bring Him glory. How good it is that we can trust Him through it all, knowing He is walking with us.

Out of My League?!?!

I experienced a first as a minister's wife tonight. For the first time since we have been at the church, all of the pastor's wives got together to honor our new pastor's wife, Beverly. *After a 2 year search, we finally have a head pastor as of a month ago and he is amazing! More about that in another blog!* Anyway, initially I was a little intimidated at the thought of hanging out with these amazing women, most of whom I never see and barely know, and then freaked out when I found out we were supposed to share a "nugget of wisdom" with our pastor's wife to encourage her. Me? Share a nugget of wisdom with essentially my husband's boss's wife? Shouldn't she be sharing a nugget with us? Who am I to try to give advice?

We had dinner together (since we are at a large church, there were 15 of us total) and it was nice to talk and of course, eat. Then came the long-awaited sharing time. We sat in the living room and each shared who we were married to, what their job was, how long we were at the church, and our nugget. We all relaxed when we realized that we were all nervous about our "nuggets," and soon jokes were intermixed with tears about the ministry and how much we loved our husbands. I was humbled when I realized that we were all coming from the same place and just needed to let our hair down together. What a blessing. I went in a bit nervous and stressed and came out refreshed and blessed. I love how God does that!

A Special Focus For 30 Days...

I love February. January kind of depresses me, with the holidays ending and then going back to school. The dark, gray weather doesn't help either, although I actually like that part. Anyway, back to February. It used to be just another month, but 6 years ago, I had a special first Valentine's date with the sweetest man I would ever meet. Yep, my first date with Adam was on Valentine's Day! I had classes until 8:00 that night, so he brought me a roast his mom made, rice and green beans, and we had a home-made meal in my dorm room together. Then we watched Ed, and held hands for the first time...I melted! I never would have guessed that 10 months later he would propose!

All that to say, I thought February would be a great month to do the 30 day husband challenge. I did this 3 years ago or so, and it was amazing how it refocused me on my husband and challenged me to lift him up rather than "relax my mouth" and always let my complaints flow out. I always thought I was so positive at home, but when I realized how much I had to catch my tongue, it really hit me that I was becoming a negative Nilly! You see, the number one rule to the challenge is that you cannot say anything negative to your husband about him or to others about him. It has a little thing to focus on everyday, which I love. Today, for example, is the day to thank him for picking you to be his wife. I know, it sounds cheesy, but just check out the website. Also, try to make it a point to not tell him what you are doing. Adam actually figured it out after a couple of weeks, and said I had made him feel more special than usual.
I'm excited about focusing my energy on making him feel special this month!

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/pdf/30DayChallenge.pdf

I'm excited to hear if you to try it and what you think!