{photos taken last November; we do not yet have fall leaves all over the ground!}

If I could give complete voice and words to the last three to six months of life, I fear I would never stop talking.  For many of my thoughts are still pent up inside, waiting for a place to go.

One day I suspect, this tale of loss and grief, of saying unexpected goodbyes and of soul wounds running deep will find its way to some page, somewhere.  Maybe not here. Maybe not ever.

I don’t need to feel rushed, and there is more comfort today in sharing a bit around our NEW season of life.  For life has truly shifted!

Right now I am….

• working two days a week outside of the home (for our church)
• homeschooling 11th, 6th, 3rd grades and one energetic Pre-K kiddo
• supporting my husband in his pastoral and educational consultant roles
• alongside my spouse, mentoring a group of 12 individuals over the next 8 months
• writing, blogging and speaking/teaching (or preparing to speak) both for our church and other places
• and I’m also daily living my roles of wife, mother, friend, shepherd, sister, daughter, grandmother and keeper of the home!

MY SECRET to welcoming this new season with JOY?

I love my life.

Seriously, I love the privilege of putting my energies towards all of those areas above.

Over a series of years, I have learned not to lend much attention to either the naysayers or those who idolize me or my life.  There is still room for growth of course, but I simply don’t register those opinions! 🙂

I do not want to be worshipped or held up as a standard for ALL women to follow. Certainly, appreciation, praise and healthy admiration have their place; we should compliment one another. 

But at the end of the day, I am just one woman attempting to live her God-honoring priorities in a way that pleases Him.

Key to my joy as well lies in ignoring negative people.

Ones whose spoken thoughts (knowingly or unknowingly) rob me of peace.  In this new season, I’m much more intentional about guarding my heart from such negativity.

My husband and I chose this life, and we have freedom to choose another if it was time for a change.  So many people cannot boast of that kind of freedom!  We are blessed.

I want to watch my own thoughts and words, purposefully speaking joy and offering up gratitude, and definitely, I RUN from talk which does not encourage my spirit.

All that said…

Of course I have days where I’m tired beyond measure and am completely overwhelmed.

Of course I sometimes grow frustrated at trying to tame the schedule, keep all of our ducks in a row, and manage our home with a reflection of serenity.  And I don’t always like every part of every thing I’m responsible for!

Of course.

But loving our life is not always synonymous with never becoming bothered by it.  This is simply a pressure we place on ourselves.

God only expects us to first take these emotions to Him, asking and waiting for relief from the difficulty, and then to walk in community with others who can lead us through those tough moments (and love us still on the other side!).

In my NEW season, I am determined by God’s grace to do all of the above —

love my life more and more, ignore negativity, release myself from unnecessary pressure, and ask for help when needed (from God and others)!

Any other suggestions or thoughts?

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In upcoming posts (which may come over a few weeks), I’ll share details about just HOW I’m managing this season of life.  Stay tuned!