I took off more time from blogging than I intended to…. summer tends to get away from me and before we know it, we are in my favorite season, late summer going into fall.

I think this season especially resonates with me right now because it also coincides with the season of life we are in. We are pushing the upper limits of “middle age,” and are in the process of parenting often referred to as “launching.” We are approaching our 25th anniversary this fall, which is feeling to me like the “second half.” Even though we don’t have any guarantees of our time here on earth, somehow it seems we are well into the other half of our lives.

Each season has its joy and wonder, sadness, fears, challenges, fun, good and hard times. I am so thankful for God’s faithfulness through it all, and that nothing takes Him by surprise! One thing that is certain about life, is that it is full of changes. My decision is how I will respond to those changes, and how I can best fulfill my role (wife, mom, daughter…. etc.) as we walk this journey of life together.

When we were first married, we were full of vision and plans for the future…. planning our family, getting started on the family farm, and looking ahead to all life held with the excitement of youth. In this season, it seems we have changed gears, looking ahead to how to make plans for end of life, retirement, and the futures of our children who are now young adults, in their late spring/ on the brink of summer. My husband and I have now each lost a parent, and we are well aware of these treasured times with our remaining parents as they also age, and are in the winter season of their lives.

There are times when we feel at a loss to know how to best care for our loved ones, when to speak, when to remain silent, when to allow for independence, or when to come along side and offer assistance. I have been SO thankful for those special people who are walking alongside us and sharing wisdom, prayers, and their own experiences. Especially in this stage of parenting, I pray for wisdom to know how to respond to life’s surprises, how to best speak into our children’s lives, or when to let them gain confidence in making their own decisions and figuring out who they are and why they are here, even when it’s a different path than we had in mind. It can be hard to stand back and trust the God who loves them more than we do, to keep them in His hands, and to remember that they have indeed been taught the Truth and have the life skills to move forward. And it is a blessing and honor to be present, sometimes in the wings, cheering them on, supporting and praying them through, knowing they are a gift from God and really never belonged to us anyway. We wait with expectancy for the glorious unfolding of His plan for them, and look forward to the next season as well– even while, to be honest, we are sometimes holding our breath, crying tears, and offering many prayers! That said, I need to add that there are many times of laughter and fun as well as we begin relating more as adults, and we intentionally work on those relationships!

Genesis 8:22–“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

Psalm 55:22 NIV– “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”