Fall, you’re my favorite season.

Why won’t you show yourself?

Enough of this “am I having a hot flash or is it just still summer” weather!

Here’s what happened in my house when the calendar turned to September.

• I got super excited because it’s my Hashtag Favorite!!
• I stitched up a Pumpkin Pillow, took down mantle decorations from summer, and made a plan to transition clothing in preparation to the most wonderful time of the year… LEGGING Season!
• I made a Fall Wreath for the Front Porch.
• I stood outside to take pictures and practically MELTED because it’s 96 gosh darn degrees outside!
• I lashed out at Mother Nature for playing cruel jokes on my tender spirit!

The Struggle is Real!

It reminds me of the last weeks of pregnancy.

The bag’s packed for the hospital, the nursery is all set up, the stroller you bought is smarter than you are, and your thighs and ankles are the same size (IF you can see your ankles)BUT you are W.A.I.T.I.N.G. for this baby to head towards the light!!

Or… you’re in labor, pushing like you’re going for the Gold Medal, and The Kid gets STUCK!!

The Doctor says you need a c-section, the epidural has worn off, there’s a baby LODGED in your lady parts with NO HOPE of coming out, and you make sure everyone in the room knows “This isn’t funny anymore!” (True Story…I totally yelled that out!)

That’s how this season of my life feels.

The In-Between Season

One In-Between Season I know too well is towards the end of a deployment.

It feels like you’re living in slow motion!

They’re coming home soon, but aren’t home yet. All you can do is WAIT.

You have an outfit picked out, you’ve rearranged the furniture, and all that’s left to do is carry the phone around until you get  “The Call”.

The waiting is agonizing!

My BFF told me about a podcast episode from Rob Bell titled Seasons.

One of the points Rob Bell makes is the in-between season is uncomfortable because you’re transitioning into something new. Not quite there yet, but a shift is happening.

Yup…That’s me!

In-Between parenting a teenager that needs me less and less (except when he oversleeps or wants food) and trying on a new identity outside of Mom. It’s exciting, scary, stressful, and overwhelming. All at the same time!

“Enjoying the Process” and “Waiting with Grace” are NOT phrases that describe me!

I love completing a task, crossing things off my list, and taking a finished quilt OFF the machine! Feeling STUCK makes me uncomfortable. ( When I get my arm trapped in my sweater sleeve I start sweating and envision being trapped like that forever!)

Give me an epidural and Let’s Do This!

If the calendar says September, I expect Fall!

Is that too much to ask?

I need to get better at recognizing in-between is exactly where I’m supposed to be, no matter how uncomfortable I am.

If I wasn’t in-between seasons, I wouldn’t be asking myself questions I’ve avoided for 16 plus years.

Psalm 62:8 (ESV)

Trust in Him at all times, you people;

pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.

I wouldn’t be seeking what God would have for me if I wasn’t struggling with the in-between.

Psalm 69:13 (ESV)

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord.

At an acceptable time, O God,

in the abundance of your steadfast love

answer me in your saving faithfulness.

I can’t talk about seasons without mentioning the 1965 hit from The Byrds based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

To everything (turn, turn, turn)

There is a season (turn, turn, turn)

And a time to every purpose, under heaven.

The In-Between is a season of it’s own.

Unfortunately, the decorations for the In-Between Season aren’t as cute as pumpkins, mums, and dried corn stalks…

What’s YOUR favorite season?