Changing of Leaves
Sometimes life happens. Just as the seasons of nature involve changes, as human beings we too can and will experience all types of life changes. If you are a subscriber to Courage Life Soul, you may feel like “change-life-shift” is a resounding theme. To be truthfully honest, my intentions were to not blog. Yet, God had something different in mind. The idea of things falling like leaves in my own life. Literally leaning into all things uncomfortable to let God use my journey in medical recovery, fertility challenges and life to be a source of hope for anyone just needing a “Woo-Sah”. . .being honest with oneself whether its welcomed or not, “seasons and life changes are real.”
Over the last decade, God has allowed me to accept and recognize, like nature, we are going to change by choice or chance. Life will happen and sometimes that means moving, meeting new people, experiencing different things and the ultimate forging out moments that shift our surroundings. Thinking about the season of fall where nature calls for trees and leaves to shift. It echoes how yielding to life changes may call us to face situations which comes without an instruction manual. Navigating to maintain authenticity, while various aspects of life are experiencing a shedding season. Finding harmony through balance of what should you just let fall or gather to “properly bag away”. Contemplations and prayerful meditation while resisting societal demands that begs for “everyone or everything to be alike to be normal” can be overwhelming and quite exhausting. Without question being discerning and prayerful are tools to remain vigilant for this type of posture. “Seasons and life changes are real”, is bigger than a feeling. It is a truth. A truth that is often not comfortable nor comforting, but a part of life.
I have not met anyone who happily welcomes the mantra “change-life-shift”. There are so many who if they could turn back the hands of time would long to have that loved one or a special memory moment in real time to warm their heart just for “old times sake” . Yet through faith and courage a presence of peace gives way to adapt to all the leaves falling without warning or with grace. I am inspired by that form of strength witnessed and/or experienced to rise up when there are validated reasons to simply resist the process of “leaves falling”.
What about you? Do you ever look back and ask yourself, “What season is this for me?. . . Why does it feel so many ‘leaves’ are falling at once?. . . What will this “tree” of my life look like?. . . How will I get through this season? . . . To what degree will it change me?” As you look at each area of your life recognizing the reality of how “change-life-shift” has postured you to be intentional toward life and purpose, there can be a form of redemption to not condemn yourself. Forging past the weight of condemnation that could be silent when things happen that are beyond your control. Grasping the beauty of autumn life seasons with a sense of believing through life valley lows and mountains highs God will never leave nor forsake you.
Choosing to trust God beyond questions. Yes, people have emotions and feelings that cause them to feel overwhelmed when life happens without warning. It is okay, we are just encouraged to not sit in that space permanently. In God’s time, the strength to live through what has fallen opens the door of new mercies and grace.
Transparent Recall: Leaning into the thought of “leaves falling” was a little scary and undesirable for me. But it was necessary to fully believe and experience how God would be with us through this journey in life, health and even marriage. Being content in the process of “change-life-shift” had its own pressure, but God grants perseverance to not overcompensate in areas of life which involve change voluntary or involuntary.
Trust me, I fully admit shifting seasons is not easy. Yet gaining insight and unexplainable gratitude in places I likely would have not imagined gave way to a warm welcome for how God is able to still be an exceedingly and abundantly lover of our souls even after a “fall season”. Indeed, it is personal and will be personal for each individual. Just know, there can be sweet surrender to acknowledge our experiences and life seasons will not all be identical nor often relatable. But each of us can still honor our journey and give grace to ourselves.
I do not know what lessons or reflections autumn lends to you. In faith I pray there is peaceful serenity to offer yourself space to be authentic, selfcare to be true to yourself and unconditional love to be not ashamed for “leaves falling”. God is God enough to give you everything you need to rest, recover and be restored no matter the life season.
~Corri Rose~