I’m leading an (in)couragers group right now for moms of teenagers. This session of (in)couragers ends on Friday so I asked the ladies in my group what they had liked most about participating … here’s what some of them said:
- I love how open everyone has been, how warm and welcoming, and just feeling connected to you all. It means a lot!
- The connection to others who know about teens since I am really new at this.
- Feeling like I have a new support system. Knowing I am not alone, and everyone is going through similar things with their teens.
- I really loved that I felt I wasn’t alone in this parenting stuff and that my feelings are normal.
- The honesty and transparency has been so refreshing. I crave that vulnerability in relationships and it is so hard to find!
- I really thought I would feel out of place, with nothing in common with anyone. Well…I am not alone. I really needed to know that!
- We’ve moved across the country twice in two years. Our last move, almost three years ago, has been particularly lonely. This group has been such a blessing. I really look forward to our chats each day and the honesty we have all offered has been wonderful. Thank you for trusting me with your hearts:)
It seems from these comments we all long to know we’re not alone in whatever season we’re in. We need each other and we need the encouragement and support fellow believers can provide. But that’s just the start to learning to be content in the season we’re in.
When my girl was born I made a promise to myself I wasn’t going to wish the seasons away. I was going to plop down in the middle of each one. I also promised myself I’d be an encourager to those who were coming behind me. And for the most part, I feel like I have done well with this endeavor.
But I realize I don’t always use that same intentionality with seasons that aren’t parenting-related. I’m looking back at 2013 and realizing I could have been more focused on writing since I wasn’t traveling as much.
I could beat myself up over opportunities lost and days wasted. I could rehash the conversations that didn’t go the way I’d wished. I could settle into a pity party of unrealized dreams. The truth is, we all could.
Every season of life has ups and downs. Each brings its own joys and sorrows. I think that’s why Jesus wanted us to understand the futility of worrying.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. {Matthew 6:34}
We need to learn to be content in whatever today offers … trusting the Lord will provide all we need. Paul understood this,
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. {Philippians 4:11-13}
Paul knew what those seasons of life were when everything was great — but he also knew what it was to go through the dark seasons as well. And he had learned a simple truth we all need to grasp: It’s all through Christ.
We learn to be content in everything when we give up trying to live in our own strength and instead choose to be yoked with Christ {Matthew 11:29}.
I don’t know what this season in your life looks like. As I type I have two friends whose husbands are in the hospital, family members who are struggling financially, and a prayer list filled with so many names it often overwhelms me. But that’s not the whole of any of their stories … each of them would tell you how God has been their ever-present help day in and day out regardless of the circumstance.
That’s the lesson, the tough one, to be content in His presence no matter what the situation. I don’t know about you but that’s my aim. To truly know He is enough.
What about you? Are you struggling with contentment during this season of life?
Trusting Him,
Teri Lynne
{Tomorrow I’ll be breaking from the 31 Days series to share my review of an amazing book everyone needs to read. Friday I’ll be back with the action step for this week. All of the 31 Days of Living Well posts are indexed here.}
For more information about the amazing (in)couragers group, check out the (in)courage website and be sure to like the (in)couragers Facebook page.
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