Seasons of Life

We stood on the church steps after the service and as I looked up at her she seemed occupied. Her expression tinged with melancholy as she watched the children playing while waiting for their parents. The temperature had cooled and the afternoon breeze was as light as a feather. The aroma of fall was tickling our noses as it teased us with an occasional leaf floating to the ground. 

I had noticed her before but she was new to our congregation. I fought with myself as I wondered if I should try to bring her into conversation. Breaking into her thoughts, I asked her what was wrong and if I could do something to help. And in broken English she replied, "What do you do when your summer's over?”

I gave her a puzzled look not understanding exactly what she meant.

“Time keeps moving, faster and faster. Looking back on the spring when babies are born, life is awakening all around you. Crawling begins, than into toddling, running everywhere. Touching and tasting everything they can get their hands on. You become a sprinter just to keep up." She stopped for just a moment as she gathered her thoughts and then continued.

"Then summer comes faster than you are ready for it. The day’s heat up, so much to run, see and do. Children growing, playing, busy takes over your life. School starts, clothes to buy, supplies to keep up with, homework to help with. Friends to shuttle and sleep overs, football games, soccer, cell phones, part-time jobs, cars, girlfriends, boyfriends, dates and finally..................... Graduation." Tears were beginning to well up in her eyes as she paused to collect her emotions before she could continue.

"Suddenly you look up one day and it's gone. You know it's coming, but you are never ready for it. The temperatures cool, the children grown and gone, leaves start to fall and your hair goes gray. You look to your husband, there is distance for the first time and you don't know who you are. Your purpose in life has suddenly changed; no more school days, soccer games, track meets, or football games. The house is empty and silent. Everything stays in its place, you cook much food, and it lasts forever." She looked away after that and I felt like I had intruded into a private space of confused emotions. I was uncertain of what I could say to provide comfort.

As I returned her gaze I spoke softly with compassion in my voice. "I often wonder, as the apostles sat in the upper room after Jesus was crucified, if they didn't have similar feelings? Christ was suddenly gone; they were afraid and didn't know where to turn or what to do next. They felt lost, alone, empty and vulnerable. The one they had depended on to lead them had suddenly moved on to complete his purpose here on earth. I am sure they were not ready to take on the leadership role the Lord had allotted them. He had told them repeatedly that this was going to happen. But they were still caught unaware." 

"As our nest empties we feel lost and we need time to adjust to the new quiet and to our husbands all over again. Our priorities were our children and without them to care for we experience the feelings of loss. I know I certainly did. It can be hard to let go, but I am grateful now for the extra time this season of my life has given me. I turned to God to fill the emptiness and he has given me a new purpose to spread his word and bring comfort to those who may not have met him yet. He allows me to bring the lost sheep in away from the world.  Comfort them so they feel safe from harm and educate to strengthen them in Christ." I said with a smile.  

I saw a gleam in her eye as a smile spread on her face. I could see the light come on in her mind when she realized her life was far from over. God had given her a new purpose. In fact her life was entering a new phase.

The leaves were beginning to turn and fall, like our children who fall from grace once they are assaulted by the pagan world view we live with today. There is a great need to lovingly gather them back to our Lord and Savior. We need to do this with tenderness and understanding for without him they are surely destined for the fire.

There may be people in your church group who need a renewed purpose in life. A purpose that can provide comfort for the lonely. Everyone needs to belong and by having an important role to play in the church community we can provide that comfort as well as save many souls falling in our society. Mentors can help provide guidance, support and a place for the recovered to go when they experience doubt or have questions they need answered from a Biblical view.