I walked outside the other morning to see new growth on a plant that was beyond burned by our only freeze this year. I’m always in awe of how God works for our good even through the most difficult changes and arduous seasons of life. Looking down upon this miracle of the new green growth, I thought about one of my own.
It was a cool January evening when I checked all the doors to make sure they were locked and then turned out the lights on 15 happy years.
Warm tears rolled down my cheeks as my car rolled out the driveway — away from the home and the neighborhood where my children grew up, away from dear friends, away from the church I loved, and away from family and a lifetime of memories.
A new job. A new city. A freshly empty nest. All the elements needed for my perfect storm.
Wisdom pointed her finger to go, but with no certainty of return. Let’s just say it was a hard season.
Change. None of us like it. It’s different. It’s uncomfortable.
I wonder if Moses felt the same way the first time he left Egypt ?
Fleeing for his life, he left everything he ever knew and loved. He left the comforts of the familiar for the bitter taste of the unfamiliar and ended up on the far side of a desert tending sheep for the better part of 40 years. A slight detour from his purpose of delivering his people, from slavery. (Exodus 2:15-23)
He probably thought this is it. The end of the road. I wonder if it made him sad?
But it was only a season. A new beginning actually.
And that’s the way it is.
Seasons come and seasons go. Some are grand, and frankly some are grim. Some we wish would never end. Some we feel never will and we wish they would. Some seasons are messy while others are just plain messed-up.
Friends tell us this too shall pass but we still wonder when, and we wonder why?
Though these changing seasons may appear chaotic at times, God has a reason for every season in our life. Each one with its own purpose builds on the last and prepares us for the next.
Just as God tilts nature, changing fall to winter and winter to spring to reflect His glory sprouting new growth, He allows our world to tilt a little to bring about changes in us that we might be better reflections of Him. There is a unique rhythm to it all. God’s perfect timing. God’s perfect plan.
Seasons push us towards our purpose notwithstanding the detours we take along the way. And even in those, God works them together for our good. For it’s from these detours we learn that the most powerful lessons often come out of the most painful places.
Maybe you feel like you just took a detour to the far side of a desert or perhaps you locked the door on what you thought were the best years of your life. Take heart sweet friend, change isn’t bad it’s just different and necessary for new growth.
We may not be able to fathom the scope of God’s mighty plan, but this we can trust. God knows where we are and where we need to be. Being our personal GPS, He’s calculated our time and distance and knows our ETA. And you can be sure He’s working for us, in us, and through us, to get us there.
Leave a CommentYet God has made everything beautiful in its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Lisa Appelo says
Christy, I always love your perspective and this especially (as I’m up way too late tonight): “or perhaps you locked the door on what you thought were the best years of your life.” Thunnnnk. That one hit home. Usually when I’m up too late at night and thoughts are turning, I have to claim God’s promises over that feeling. Thank you for your poignant words tonight friend. xoxo
Christy Mobley says
Hi Lisa, I’m with you. Funny how night does that to us. I have to remind myself all the time, He’s got this!
Love you friend!
Vanessa says
Thank you for such an inspirational message . I needed this so much right now in my season of the unknown .
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Christy,
So good to be reading your words here at (in)courage this morning! I like thinking of God as my own personal GPS system. I know when my GPS is set in my car, I am able to heave a bit of a sigh of relief, knowing that it will get me to my destination. I guess I have the wisdom of being able to look back and see the path my life has taken. At the time, I often wondered why on earth my life was going down this particular path? In hindsight, I see that God’s hand was at work the whole time. Sometimes we have to go through the crucible in order for Him to be able to draw us closer to Him. In fact, I’ve been through many crucibles, but God has never let the flames consume me…only refine me. He is far more interested in our character and conforming us into His Son’t image than He is that we are continually “happy” and always get our way. Also, having experienced the hard times makes the good seasons shine so much more brightly. I think it’s hard to have true joy unless you’ve experienced true pain. I love how you pointed out that even though we can’t see the whole picture, we can trust God’s heart and know that He is working it all together for our good and His glory.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Christy Mobley says
Bev, I love that you are experiencing God. That’s the very best of life knowing He’s at work for us and He is with us. It removes all the anxiety. Just switch over to the Great GPS!
Hugs~
Stephanie Brown says
This is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for your words and perspective on such an important part of life that many are unsure of how to handle! Love it. God bless you
Deborah says
Christy,
What a beautiful way you have of expressing How difficult the changes can be that we experience in our life. I can’t even begin to tell you how challenging the past two and half years have been like for me. (Betrayal, divorce, death, suicide, school changes, child behavior, moved, financial to name a few)But reading this sheds a whole new light on what it all means.
Thank you and God bless
Deborah ❤️
Christy Mobley says
Deborah, I’m so sorry for all the pain you’ve endured. Praise God, you are a survivor and now see this season through a different lens. You encourage me! Thank you.
Bless~
J says
Yes to this. I am learning to embrace life after the death of my husband. My beloved grandson who I got to babysit all his life is starting K in the fall. A new life for sure.
Christy Mobley says
J, I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through, I’m sorry for your loss. But there is a reason grand babies are called GRAND! Enjoy!
Katie M. Reid says
Beautiful reflections, friend!
Pearl Allard says
Christy, thank you for such a beautiful description of the season changes in our lives. “Each one with its own purpose builds on the last and prepares us for the next.” This encouraged me today. Thank you.
Christine says
Thank you, Christy. These are very timely words for me today. With the death of my Mom just a few weeks ago I’m still trying to navigate through this new season.
Christy Mobley says
I’m sorry for your loss Christine. I lost my mom two years ago and still pick up the phone to call her when something good happens. Changing seasons is hard but looking forward helps.
Bless~
Mary says
Christy,
God does have a plan for me as I remember my beloved husband. Today would have been our 3rd wedding anniversary but he went to be with the Lord, early October 24th. It is a changing season as I try to move on and start a new life with the Lord and without my Bob. Thank you for this message. God bless you.
Mary
Andrea says
I’m so sorry for the loss of one so so dear. Praying for you today as you remember your sweet husband.
Christy Mobley says
Mary, I’m sorry for your loss. I think grief is the hardest of emotions, ebbing in and out like the tide. You think it’s gone and it’s back again.
May God bless you as you remember the good times and look forward to a different season with new beginnings.
Pat Hubby says
Christy,
Your words of encouragement really touched my heart. For my husband and myself, it has been over a decade of change, loss, and bewilderment. I remember during this decade locking the door as empty nesters and leaving for another state to help salvage our family business. Unfortunately, the outcome of that has lead to bankruptcy. Add to that I lost my precious mom during this decade of loss.
This season hasn’t ended but I know and I stand on the promises of God that He is with us now and always. The enemy wants us to think life will never be the same. But the funny thing is, I really don’t want it the same, as things were. I can see, as you stated so beautifully, that change is a good thing for us all. As painful as it’s been, I am learning to trust God in ways I never thought about. As life unfolds for us now, God’s sustaining grace is with us and will always be with us until He calls us Home.
God’s Blessings to you! ☺️
Christy Mobley says
Your story sounds similar to mine, Pat. Trust God and watch Him work a good thing in your life. He will!
Bless~
Pat says
Thanks Christy for your kind words. It is easy to feel we are the only ones going through this kind of thing, especially at an age where we “should” be settled. It helps to know others, such as yourself, have experienced this kind of season.
A kindred spirit.
Pat
Mary Ann Krask says
Christy, what you talked about is exactly what I am experiencing in my life! I could not describe it more perfectly than you have! You put into words what is going on in my heart. I know it is God’s will for me to be here during this time in my life but deep down I want to be somewhere else just for my own preference. I want to be closer to family, grandchildren and yet I seem to be in a holding pattern. I believe God has very good reasons for the distance and He is taking excellent care of me where I am but it’s still somewhat of a daily internal battle. Nevertheless, I trust Him completely!!! Thank you for verbalizing so well my season of life right now!
Kim says
It’s so hard to see God’s hand working on your behalf when you’re going through what seems like hell, literally, but we have to trust that he is working everything out for our good. Thank you for this devotional. Very timely for me.
Christy Mobley says
You’re right Kim. Sometimes it takes looking back to see what God has done, then we can faith for the future. I like to journal my “God things” so I can see how He brought me through before.
Serena says
Thank you! So timely and well written. Ecclesiastes 3 always has a special meaning for me. So much had happened and more than one painful journey, first without a spouse and then with a spouse. First, out of the country then out of a familiar neighbourhood where I had build new relationships, then another change, another painful journey. I discovered I didn’t learn as well as I should from God who loves me so much. He’s so patient and loving through the journeys. Isaiah 40:31 and Psalm 46:10 are faithful reminders to just pause and let Him take over. I’m still learning. Thank God for His everlasting love, kindness and mercy which is new every morning 🙂
Christy Mobley says
Serena, you have a beautiful perspective and faith. Thank you for the Scripture verses. You’ve encouraged me with your words.
Sabrina says
Thank you, Christy. I am going through what for me is a big change, moving. And at 41 years of age it seems like the right man for me is even out there. I recently took huge leaps out of my comfort zone to pursue a crush only to find out he’s married. 🙁 I cried throughout your post and am still crying now because I don’t know what He wants from me or why I can’t have my heart’s greatest desire. I struggle with health issues and do my best to live a ‘normal’ life despite them. I just would like to know why, when and what. Thank you for your post. If nothing else I had a good cry.
Christy Mobley says
Everyone needs a good cry every now and then. I cry when I read my own post because I feel the pain of leaving all over again. But God is faithful. Hang in there.
Dawn says
Such wonderful words Christy. Made me hurt all over again to remember that move that took you far away from us. Now you are back home and we are gone… but close in heart every single day. ❤️ Miss and love you sweet friend!
Christy Mobley says
Thank you Dawn. Yep, nothing stays the same. Miss you too!
xoxo
Andrea says
I’m so sorry for the loss of one so so dear. Praying for you today as you remember your sweet husband.
Kathy Cheek, Devotions from the Heart says
Thank you for the needed reminder that God knows where we are and where we need to be…that is a word in season for me!
Blessings,
Kathy
Jana B. says
This is exactly what I needed to hear today. I have two sons. My oldest just recently became engaged and my youngest son is planning on leaving home for college in August. For 21 years those boys have been my everything. I am feeling a little lost right now. Not sure what the future holds for me. I pray that God will open opportunities up to me as I enter the “empty nest” season of my life. Thank you for sharing your heart with us!
Christy Mobley says
Jana, I have two sons as well. It’s painful to let them go but what a privilege to have raised them. God will give you new purpose if you just ask. He did for me.
Bless~
Geinor says
Lovely Christy. I was fortunate that your new season and my new season collided; and then the ending of our new seasons coincided too. I am so grateful that we can stay in touch so easily via the internet.
Christy Mobley says
You were one of my best blessing in that season. Still thanking God for you.
xoxo
T Self says
I so need this today. Both of my children got married in 2016 and it sure has been a change. It’s a great change but it is still a change. I’m not the one they turn to first now…..which turning to their spouse first is the way it should be. I am so proud of the adults that they are going to be. Both couples are growing in their adult faith and it is wonderful. “….To everything there is a season…..”. Thank you again for that devotional today!
Christy Mobley says
You are right on concerning your kids. I can so relate. Mine are both married so my relationship with them had changed as well. It’s one of those “hurts so good” because I know it’s God’s will. Thank you for your comment.
Beth Negrey says
God as our own personal GPS — I love this, Christy! Especially after my “regular” GPS turned me onto two separate dead-end streets yesterday within 10 minutes…. Thankfully, God will never do that!
Audrey says
Christy,
Thank you. You have voiced my own heart as we head to a new state, for a new job for my husband, uprooting my family (with a teenage son in his junior year right now), and leaving the only town I’ve know for almost my whole life. I couldn’t have dreamed someone would know exactly how I’m feeling in the newness of these changes we are walking into. I’m grateful Abba has me check my email this morning before I start my work day. I will hang on to the promises He made, and reread this post regularly, to help me keep perspective. May God continue to bless you, and in doing so, bless other wanderers on the journey home.
Christy Mobley says
Audrey you’ve blessed me knowing that God has blessed you with this post. Our pain is never without purpose and I joy in my own believing God has given comfort. He is good!
Beth Williams says
Christy,
God has very good reasons for each season of our lives. We don’t always see it at the time, but He knows best. I’ve had “bad” seasons
these last few years dealing with my aging dad and his dementia. There were times I wish it was all over and cried out to Jesus. In the middle of all this I had to quit my full-time job and be at home assisting in the caretaking of my dad. Through it all I can see the hand of God on my life-changing it and me for the better. God allowed me to receive compliments-telling me I was doing the right thing. I am now a lot closer to God & involved in ministry projects more.
Blessings 🙂
Christy Mobley says
Beth, thank you for sharing your story. I love to hear how you took care of your dad and found purpose in your pain.
Bless~