What Season Are You In?
When my firstborn child came along I had joy beyond measure. Along with that great joy there also came some doubt as well as some fear. Why fear? I was a newly married young woman with a small infant and my own Mama was 500 miles away from me. As you know, no matter how old you become there is "nothin like your Mama" to have close by your side! My husband was an excellent father but still something was missing. I needed a relationship with an older woman who could give me advice, give me encouragement, and even give me a hug when I needed it. Unfortunately, I never found her. I muddled through and then my second child came along. By then I felt a little more comfortable and confident with my mothering skills but again, oh how I yearned for that "special woman" to be in my life.

Throughout the years I was kept busy with diapers, bottles and sweet baby kisses. My life revolved around my little ones and I loved every minute of it. The times of diapering and bottles seemed never-ending , but one day to my surprise, they did end. My precious little ones were now school age. Where had the time gone? Once my children started school the years literally flew by, each year faster than the preceding one. Before I knew it my babies were no longer babies, they were young adults. I saw them grow up to be two amazing young people who love the Lord deeply. Amen! I have to admit that when it was time for them to leave I had a lot of mixed emotions. I was sad. Sad because my babies were leaving home. I won't kid you, I did my share of grieving. I was grieving not only for the fact they were leaving home, I was grieving because the life as I had known it (as Mom) was no longer. That season of my life was coming to a close. With that closing came some tears and also again, some fears. On the other hand, the other part of me was rejoicing. Rejoicing that my babies had grown up to be these amazing young adults who were prepared to begin their own new lives. For those of you who might be thinking do my children still need me , the answer is an absolute YES! They just need me in a different way:)

I wrote a post a few days back about my idea of a perfect afternoon. I had the music playing, I was writing letters and sipping my favorite tea. Some of the young Moms who read that post are not in the season of their life that will allow them to do such things. Since I wrote that post I know that there were some of you that were wishing that you could have an afternoon like that. I've had several emails from some wonderful young women who feel overwhelmed, overburdened, downright tired, and yes, even afraid. They are now in the season that I have come out of. Every word they wrote I could understand because I had felt the exact same things as a young wife and mother. Oh how I wish I could be there for them to help them. My heart was literally aching to do something for them. God calls on the older women to help the younger women. **Titus 2:2-5. Distance won't allow me to help those particular women but I can be of help to young women in my own church and area. These young women who so desperately need that Titus 2 lady in their life shouldn't have to say like I did, "there is nobody to help me." Oh how I wish I could have received that much needed help from a Titus 2 woman. I cannot tell you what it would have meant to me.

I am in a season in my life now where I am able to do things that I enjoy. I can draw, work on my photography, read, etc.... When my children were young I didn't have the time to do any of these things. I think what we have to realize is that everyone is in a different season, we can't change that fact so we might as well celebrate it. Many times when I read your blogs about your beautiful babies I do feel a twinge of sadness because a part of me misses that season in my life. How could I not? There is nothing sweeter than rocking that newborn baby in your arms. Likewise, you might have the same feeling about me because I do have time to pursue some of my interests. I believe that God wants us to be happy and satisfied with the season we are in and live it to the best of our ability and to his Glory. We need to rejoice in our season, not looking backward or forward, but appreciating every minute because life is too fleeting to wish it away.

Because of the season I am in God requires me to help the younger women. **Titus 2:2-5. It could be words of encouragement, a helping hand, a prayer, or even a loving shoulder to cry on. God calls on me to be an example and an encourager. Oh how I wish I had a woman in my life like that when my children were young. I cannot even put into words what it would have meant to me. That is why I feel very strongly about the call and even stronger about "heeding" the call. You don't have to look very far to find someone that could use that "special someone" in their life. I plan on spending the rest of this season of my life being that woman to some young wife and mother.

I leave you with this: Every season is a good season. What season of life are you in? Do you know of someone that could use your help? Are you in a season where you need that help? Ladies, it is not only our duty, but it is also our great privilege. Together, let us help one another as God has called us to do.