Friday, September 4, 2009

This too shall pass

 sept calendar

Have you ever realized that people most often use the phrase “this too shall pass” to encourage you to endure through difficult seasons of life?

Your newborn baby has colic?  It will pass.

Your toddler isn’t staying in his big boy bed?  It will pass.

Your little one rips another laptop keys off the keyboard while you are typing a blog post?  That too had better pass, because I am ticked. (I better be able to get the “6” key back on, or I’m going to have to call Dell again – and I don’t know how long my warranty covers toddler wear and tear.)

But I digress.

The hard seasons pass…..but so do the good.

I have been feeling very nostalgic the last few days, as we’ve ushered in September 2009.  And I think it’s because I have been so aware of how blissfully normal September 2008 was.

Work was going well for me; I’d just gotten my long-awaited promotion.  Seth was blossoming, even under different temporary childcare while we were waiting for this beauty to make her arrival.  Our deck construction was complete, and we were enjoying the company of our friends.  I was pregnant with the twins, but blissfully unaware.  We felt there might be a change on the horizon, but we were still ignorant that the change would involve a cross-country move away from our families.

Life was good then.

And that isn’t to say that it isn’t good now.  But now, things are good in spite of all that has transpired in the last 12 months, not just plain good because they’re good.  Does that make any sense at all?

I guess all I’m trying to say, to you, and to me when I come back and read this someday, is: if you’re in a good place right now – stop and appreciate it.  Bask in the mundane and the uncomplicated.  If you are tempted to be “bored” with your everyday – don’t be.

Because this good season will eventually pass, too.  And I don’t say that to discourage – it’s just a fact of life.  Seasons come and go.  Life brings both sunshine and rain.

So wherever you are at today, just rest and be still, and be content in the moment.  Change will arrive soon enough.

7 comments:

Chasity said...

Just wanted you to know that this post was a blessing to me. I have heard my share "this shall pass" after the loss of my babies and I have really resented that phrase. I keep thinking "no, it will not, it may get better, but it will not pass". You are such an inspiration to me.

Trisha Larson said...

This post reminds me of what God keeps feeding me -- Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord, Always.

I have learned this year to appreciate what I have at any given moment knowing that it is all a gift from God and there are no promises here on earth. It is had to rejoice in the midst of grief that tries to consume every piece of you, but it is good to try. Somedays, I am able to rejoice about almost everything and I can truly appreciate what amazing blessings I've been given. Other days, I'm lucky if I can rejoice about finding a diet coke in the back of the fridge. But I am trying. I hope that my life will get better and I will find my blue sky. But, I know that this could be my "good season" and all my blessings could be taken away in an instant. So, I need to appreciate and rejoice about the life that I have NOW.

It's a constant battle that we fight and I appreciate that you are fighting it with me.

Hugs!

Trisha

Jennifer said...

I needed that today Monica! Great post! Evie has been fussy most of the week: this shall pass!

Charity said...

I needed that today Monica. After having a horrific 4 hour test at the hospital, still trying to find out the cause of my illness and how to prevent it and constantly worrying about losing my job because of it.. this was really encouraging..

thanks for thinking of others when you are going through so much yourself! <3

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

My mother always said that...and it was true, of the good and the bad. Well said, dear friend...I also like the verse Tricia shared.

Praying for you still...

Valerie said...

What a good reminder to us all. Thank you for the perspective.

Anonymous said...

I am happier today because of you! Thanks for your post and the note :)

Dad-e