Seasons. This season of Advent is such a beautiful time to reflect on the gift of different and special times in our lives and the opportunity they present to us for growth and gratitude. Advent fills me with anticipatory joy and challenges me to spend more time with Jesus. It reminds me to focus on people, giving and soul-filling activities. Since the new liturgical year begins with Advent, we can also look at this as a time of new beginnings and fostering new holy and healthy habits.

Seasons. As I was reflecting recently with friends, we have different seasons in our physical lives. A friend of mine retired from her job and has been training with me, and flourishing, for 8 years. Praise God for her perseverance! I was also reflecting that I train differently now than I did 10 years ago when I started teaching strength training. It is wise to honor our bodies where we are right now. My main goals now are consistency, injury prevention and fun! I used to focus mainly on how heavy I could lift and I would train almost every day. Thank you Jesus for a wise shift in my physical life to make more time for you and for the people and other activities you have placed in my life.

Seasons. My parents and my mother-in-law are in Memory Care with different forms of Alzheimers. This season is challenging for me, my husband and our siblings, but there is much to be thankful for when we view this season with the eyes of faith. Their childlikeness is so beautiful. My Dad has had memory loss for about 7 years. He recently had a sudden change from excellent physical health to hip, knee and other new physical issues that have caused falls and recurring pain. He is in bed much more than ever before. He never even used to take a nap. One day I asked him if he was sad about this phase of life. He said, why would I be sad? I’m the same as always! He doesn’t remember what is going on. In many ways, this is a blessing.

Seasons. One day I took my mom outdoors at the retirement center, and we sat and I simply rubbed her back as she looked at the sky. In her childlikeness, she exclaimed about the clouds, the sun, the warmth, the beautiful day. Just being together physically is a gift in this phase of life. She calls me her friend, and sometimes she mixes me up with my sister, but she still recognizes me and runs to hug me shouting, ‘I’m so glad you are here!’ She is happy and free from the things that used to worry her. Thank you Jesus for the reminder that there is beauty and dignity in each season of our lives.

Seasons. Our spiritual lives have seasons. I would say that I’m in a season of more study than I’ve ever had before with the Encounter School of Ministry. It is exhilarating and exhausting! This season is challenging me to go deeper with Jesus in a way that is amazing, but in the awakening, I’m forced out of my comfort zone. I’m praying for patience on this journey, to radically trust in God and to truly let go of old ways of thinking. Come Holy Spirit!

St. Edith Stein said, “Lay all your cares about the future trustingly in God’s hands and let yourself be guided by the Lord just like a little child.”

May we welcome each season, both the joys and the sorrows, and pray to say with unshakable faith, “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.”