You Can’t Change The Seasons

Written By: Mary Martinez

A while back while putting my oldest son to bed, I had one of those teary-eyed mom moments. If you’re a parent you’ve likely had one of these. If you are yet to be a parent, just know the saying, “The days are long but the years are short” speaks volumes of truth. It seemed like just yesterday I was singing him lullabies and rocking him to sleep. It hit me in that moment, my baby was growing up. How did we get here? Where has time gone? My son looked at me with his big brown eyes and asked, “Mom, why are you crying?” I replied, “You’re growing up too fast, stop growing!” He giggled, snuggled up, gave me a hug and said, “Mom, you can’t change the seasons.” I then, of course, started crying even harder because his words were so wise and profound for a child.

Our family lives in beautiful Wyoming, where our winters are extremely cold and snowy. Towards the end of winter everyone is longing desperately for the warmth of spring. Despite this, spring never comes when it is scheduled to. We often end up with a major snowstorm with several feet of snow on the first day of spring. We ache for the snow to melt, grass to become green and flowers to bloom. It feels like winter lasts forever. Seasons can be unpredictable, but they do change. In fact, God promised the seasons would change, but on His authority not ours.

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times and seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” Acts 1:7 ESV

My son’s words have replayed in my mind so many times over the last year. Our family has been going through a very long season. Between my husband’s civilian job and his commitment as a Navy Reservist, we have spent the majority of our 10 years of marriage separated.  This year so far he has been home less than 3 months in total, and last year only 7 weeks. We’ve been praying and trying to change his job situation but nothing has worked out.  This is all we’ve known as a family and we’ve made it work, but I won’t kid you, it’s hard, really hard, stressful, and quite frankly, lonely. We have been in this season of waiting, anticipating change, longing to be together for far too long.

Last year I came to a breaking point. I cried out to God asking Him to finally let my husband be home. I was mentally worn out, physically exhausted, and emotionally drained. I felt so stuck in this season with no signs of change. God had promised us that his job situation would change, but there we were still in the same season… apart. We desired to be in God’s will and follow His plan for our lives, but we were ready for change, why wasn’t He?

Firmly, God spoke to me and said, “Not now, you have to finish this race.” I wasn’t sure how we could continue with such uncertainty or with no clear vision of the future.  But I knew I needed to be obedient and continue to hold on to His promise He had given us.

So I prayed and continued praying:

“Your will be done. Not by my strength but by Yours. Teach me how to live in obedience. Show me how to wait.  Help me to be content until You tell me it’s time and reveal the promise You have given to me. Give me endurance to finish this race.”

Contentment comes with reverence to God, knowing He has created each season and controls them. We are still in this season of waiting. Despite this, I have found contentment and confidence in the work God is doing. He has revealed the purpose of this season, allowing me to see the work He has been doing in our hearts as well as through us. He has taught me to release my grip on the future and to trust His timing and provision. During this season God has created countless miracles which reveal a Mighty God who can do extraordinary things with ordinary people from cold, snowy Wyoming. He is preparing us for something much bigger and better than we could ever imagine. He is completing His work in us so we can move on in full confidence, well equipped for the next season, bringing glory to the One who holds the authority over all.

When we feel the least in control we are allowing God full control.

• Are you in a season of waiting?  
• Are you waiting for a breakthrough with your spouse? Your children?
• Waiting for a spouse? Job situation? Finances? Infertility? Health problems?

My prayer for you is that God would fill you with unspeakable joy during this time of waiting. That He would give you supernatural strength and endurance to finish this season and move forward in confidence and contentment. 

May the Lord direct your heart into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 NLT

Here are truths that have helped me continue in this season:

• Keep Praying

• Rejoice in confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. Romans 12:12 NLT
• Hold on to His promises
• Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. Hebrews 10:36 NLT
• Surrender to His will
• Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. Psalms 143:10 NLT
• Each season has it’s purpose
• And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT
• Find joy in each day
• We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with JOY! Colossians 1:11 NLT
• Praise Him while you wait
• But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently. Romans 8:25 NLT
• Look for the beauty in this season
• Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of JOY! Psalm 65:8 NLT

Weekly Challenge:

• Get outside and take a nature walk (if you have children bring them along). Take in the beauty of this season. Open up your senses and stand in awe of the wonder of God’s creation. Listen to the songs of nature, breathe in the stimulating smells, look around and see the signs of this season, and feel the earth beneath your bare feet or between your fingers.  

• Shout praises to God for all He has done for you, for what He is about to do, and the season yet to come.

• Listen to “Take Courage” By Kristene Dimarco Bethal Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r49V9QcYheQ