“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”

“A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1-8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

1) Look back at last season

As the season changes from summer to fall, let us reflect on His faithfulness behind and gain greater faith in Him for the stretch of road ahead. As you read through the list above, which season do you feel like you just walked through with the Lord?

“A time to laugh.”

This was my season during the summer with my kids. We swam, we jumped, we traveled. We read funny books. We laughed together. I quit writing, as I usually do during the summer, and I just was with family and the LORD, soaking up the summer until I could not bear to untangle another knot from my chlorine-dry hair. I can truly say, it was a season of a lot of laughter and fun.

But we can’t stop time. I heard someone explain eternity like this lately: today is one small dot on a never-ending line. We just have the dot. We have today. We can’t hold on to yesterday and expect today to be just like the day before; especially since they closed the pool down and now, it’s green 🙂

Plus, what kind of life would it be to just laugh every day, every season? Sure, it would be fun, but what about reaching out to those who are suffering, and accomplishing work, and having purpose? Those are all meaningful things God has instilled in our hearts too.

2) Look for Potential Beauty in this Season

I think it is just beautiful the way God has arranged seasons in our years, and seasons in our lives. As the leaves turn into an array of sunset before they fall, so let us feel the changes taking place in our hearts and lives, declaring they are good and needed and ask the Lord what He wants us to focus on this season.

Use this prayer or pray your own words and ask the Lord what he has for you to hold onto and focus on this season.

Lord,

I am seeking you first this fall season. Please, show me the priorities you have for me over the next weeks and months.

What rhythms do I need to put into place to walk closer to you this fall?

What rhythms do I need to put into place to grow closer to my husband this fall?

What rhythms do I need to put into place to grow closer to my children this fall?

What rhythms do I need to put into place to create more peace in my home this fall?

3) Invest in this season for Beauty next season

Look at your answers, and now re-read Eccelsiastes 3:1-8. What verse or part of a verse is the Lord highlighting to you after reflecting on this season of your life? What is it time for?

Sisters, this can create so much peace, freedom, and room for Jesus. We have got to be intentional about asking the One who knows what He has for you and your family this season.

For me,

it is a time to plant.

I took the summer off. I’m rested and ready. I want to plant more seeds of faith and goodness in my marriage though prayer. I desire to see God’s Word be heavily planted in my children’s hearts this school year. So it’s time to get to work.

I’m clinging to this verse,

“I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And I’m trusting as I plant, others water, and most importantly God is going to bring growth.

My husband and I growing closer to Him

My children growing closer to Him

My home reflecting a place in heaven where peace is growing.

I’m expecting a beautiful season of planting here at Refocused Bible Study, too!

I plan on sending out a weekly blog post on God, marriage, motherhood, or home every Sunday night to get the week started Refocusing on Him together where it matters most. I hope you are encouraged from my heart to yours.

Which verse from Ecclesiastes 3 sums up what it feels like it’s time for in your life this season? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!