I’ve just finished seven out of the past eight weeks on the road. In fact, this year I have been on the road over twice as much as I’ve been home. This is not something I expect to last; it is for a season - an unusual season in life. We all experience these seasons from time to time. Sometimes we see them coming, so we can prepare for them mentally and practically. But, perhaps, they’re most often thrust on us by an unexpected changes in circumstances. Sometimes even tragic circumstances.
If your unusual season was brought on by tragedy, I encourage you that this time will pass. It’s not necessarily that the circumstances will go away. I don’t believe in “closure” (that’s something for the media and others that are not directly connected so that they can move on). But God will help you deal with the emotions and, over time, help you grow because of what you’ve been through. Whatever the reason for your unusual season, it’s important to recognize that what you’re going through is, in fact, for a season.
Here are my notes from this unusual season:
1) Be Present: Wherever you are, be there. There can be a tendency in unusual seasons to be somewhere else mentally and emotionally. You can find yourself dreaming about the past or fantasizing about the future. It’s natural to want to be out of this season. But it’s better to acknowledge the season is here and determine to make the most of this time. Whether you realize it now or not, it is a gift from God. Do the work you’ve been given to do to your very best. And look for the daily gifts from God whether it’s unexpected sunshine, an encouraging word or the genuine smile of a child.
2) Seek Harmony: So often we talk about balance in life. But I agree with Len Sweet that a better metaphor is harmony. Balance makes us think that equal time needs to go into the various areas of our lives. That’s not realistic at any time in our lives and, especially, in unusual seasons. Harmony is a metaphor of vitality. It’s better to think in terms of harmony: “a consistent, orderly, or pleasing arrangement of parts.” Jesus lived a life in harmony, not balance.
3) Listen Openly: It’s easy to lose your bearings when you’re in an unusual season. But the people that know you best can help you most. Listen to the people that are close to you. What do they have to say about your attitude? Your perspective? Ask them what it feels like to be on the other end of you. And listen, really listen, to the emotions and meta-messages for the adjustments you need to make to stay on course.
4) Establish Rhythm: Find constructive activities to build into your daily routines. I am a big believer in the power of habits. For instance, you don’t become a reader by tackling a book over a weekend; you become a reader by building 15 minutes or more everyday reading. Devotions are the most important daily activity I can think of. Spending time meditating on God’s word can be foundational for everything you face. Exercise is another good way I have found rhythm (by now I think I’ve used every brand of exercise equipment a hotel has to offer). And, as silly as it sounds, I have found Starbucks to be an important routine for me. My daughter and I spent time every week of her senior year on Starbuck dates so there’s sentimental value (and they have the best chai). They have done a good job of creating a familiar vibe from San Francisco to Miami to Chicago to NYC, and everywhere in between. So I set a lot of my meetings in Starbucks, and it’s where I go to work when I’m alone.
5) Embrace God (and allow him to embrace you): For some reason when we’re in the regular routines of life, we can actually take God for granted. When I step back, it’s hard to imagine that we could become blasé about the God of the universe and His incomparable grace and unfathomable love. But we do. So unusual seasons can be an opportunity to connect with God in new and exciting ways. Seek God with an expectation of things you’ve never experienced before. And take time to sit back, listen and allow Him to embrace you.
Have you ever experienced an unusual season in your life? What did you learn to add to the list above?
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