While at Family Camp this summer, I was talking with a friend about my youngest son’s soon departure to college, and he asked an insightful question, “So how will this change the rhythm of your life?”
Rhythms of Change
I laughed. I told him, the rhythm of my life has been up for constant change for the last year and a half, ever since my husband started working in North Dakota. And now, with a truly empty nest, it would change yet again.
For the first time in my life, I will live alone for two weeks at a time while my husband is away at work—and then for five glorious days, he is home, and then he goes back. The good thing is, I had plenty of time to get used to the idea. I had plenty of time to pray about it and to receive God’s peace about this new season, even to get a glimpse of God’s vision for this season.
And now, as I am living my first two weeks “by myself,” I find that I don’t feel alone at all. Some of that is because I get to talk to my husband every day (a blessing many oil field wives do not have!) and because I have lots of family and friends. But mostly, it’s because I’m not alone. The Lord is with me.
Rhythms of Rain
Many others are experiencing new rhythms of life right now as well. For some, it’s back to the routine of the school year. For some, it’s getting used to having a child in college or having that empty nest. Others have been hit by sudden trials or distress and they are experiencing new rhythms of necessity, dictated by a doctor’s diagnosis or a spouse’s decision.
It’s important to acknowledge when seasons change. It’s important to note that everything is changing and that some things will never be the same. And that’s ok. New seasons mean new growth. Life is a continuous process of moving from one season to another. We need to keep moving forward.
Rhythms of Grace
Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” and then verse 11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” We need to make note when new rhythms come to our life. We need to make adjustments that will allow us to appreciate the beauty of this season.
No matter what kind of a season we are moving into, we can know that God is always with us and that His grace is available to us for this very season. For, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength,” (Phil. 4:13.) He knows right where we are, whether we are in a time of plenty or want, a time of sunshine or storm. And we can trust Him because He loves us ~ and because He does all things well.
“Lord, help us to keep in step with the new rhythms You bring into our lives. Help us to hear Your music through the noise of life. Even if we are learning new steps to a new song, help us take Your hand and by faith, dance with You.”
What new rhythms is this Fall bringing to your life?