Seasons of Life

Last fall, I listened to a podcast where the guest talked about identifying the season you are in. Is it winter, summer, spring, or fall? At that time, I was struggling and thought that if I knew the season of life I was in, I might be able to navigate this time better. So, I bought his book and read it within a couple of weeks. When I was finished, I was mad. I was mad because he did not give me the five steps to determine the season I was in. Furthermore, he did not provide a game plan for whatever season I was in either! But I couldn’t let it go. Something kept nagging at me to determine my season.

I went to the professionals, the internet, and I googled, “what do farmers do in the winter?” I kind of felt like I was in a winter season, so that’s where I went.

Farmers stay quite busy during the winter months, even though it might seem like a quieter time. They do equipment maintenance, repair the machinery, ensuring everything is in top shape for the next planting season. They also use this time to plan for upcoming crops, by ordering seeds, applying for farmers markets, reviewing their accounting, and making decisions that can impact their profitability. They also prepare the soil, fertilize, till, and apply compost to prepare for the planting. Some farmers also take advantage of the slower time to attend workshops, farm shows, and training sessions to learn about new techniques and technologies. Despite the cold, winter is a crucial time for farmers to prepare for a successful growing season.

That was it! I’m in a winter season but, wait for it, it’s July and I am still in the winter season! In my mind, I was going to give it three months, you know, December, January, February, three months of winter. I was wrong. God directs our seasons. And when He is ready for me to move into another season, He will move me. For now, winter it is!

My word for this year is “organize.” Not only am I in a season of winter, but I am also organizing. Organizing everything - my health, my personal life, my family life, being a business owner, and running a nonprofit.

All. The. Things. I need to take my time and slow down. Seriously,

S L O W  D O W N!

A couple of years ago, I downloaded a walking app. It used my age, weight, and goal to customize a plan for me. The app started me off walking slowly, told me when to speed up and for how long, and it would tell me when I was done and how long it would take to cool down. Here’s the funny part: because I am a little competitive, I would race against the app. I would skip the slow walking part and do more speed walking! Did it work? NO! Instead of leaning in and trusting the app that had been studied, applied, and produced results, I competed with it. I know there are some of you that do the same thing, so don’t judge me.

I am learning, even at the age of 62, to trust the process. Trust my winter season. Trust God, that He has a plan for me to get through this season and He will move me into another season when winter is done. (Did I mention that winter is my least favorite of all the seasons? I don’t like to be cold. I don’t like to bundle up. I love the look of the snow but prefer not to be in it. It’s too cold!)

What season are you in? This is one of the only times I recommend you google the seasons and see what the farmers do. What steps do you need to take while you are in your season of life?

Stay true to your season until God moves you into your next season. You can do this. I can do this. We can do this.

Your Breast Friend,

Edie A. Tolbert

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