Motherhood has introduced me to seasons in a way I never experienced before. Living on the east coast my entire life, I’ve seen more than thirty springs, summers, falls, and winters. The seasons change according to the plan God set in place long before creation, and yet somehow the shift still surprises me.

I looked out our front window last week to see our maple tree shining brilliant orange in the late afternoon sun. A few windy days later and now those branches that moments ago shone gloriously are bare, save a few leaves holding on stubbornly.

I’m entering into year three of motherhood, a season that is shaping up to be our most challenging yet. God has given us the gift of a strong-willed, independent daughter who will do incredible work for His kingdom. Which I remind myself during extended time-outs and fights over naptime and which shoes to are appropriate to wear to daycare.

As I refill my coffee, I pause to watch the farmer behind our home prepare his fields for winter, and God whispers a vision of seasons of motherhood - and life - into my heart. There will be times to plant, times to wait in the quiet, times to grow, and times to harvest. In each one, if we pause to look for it, we’ll see God’s masterful hand at work, preparing us for the season to come.

We can’t have a harvest if we don’t take the time to first plant the seeds.

We can’t experience the joy of growth without first having a time of quiet, to let roots sink deep and hold firm.

We can’t start planting before we’ve first celebrated the first harvest and laid the ground bare to prepare the way.

Whatever season you’re in, know that God has you there for a reason. To prepare your heart for what’s to come next. To strengthen you and develop the gifts and skills you’ll need to do even more glorious work for His kingdom. If motherhood feels like constant pouring into and never seeing results - know that it’s a time of planting, and God will take care of what you’re so carefully stewarding.

If motherhood feels quiet, like a restless waiting, an anticipation of what comes next without a clear vision, know that God sees your next season. Take time to dig into His Word, grow roots, and be nourished. Maybe you feel like God is calling you to lay down some idols you’ve held on to for far too long - like those leaves hanging on for just one more day of glory instead of falling to make room for what’s next, or maybe He’s asking you for a step of faith - in your season of growth, trust that God knows where He’s taking you, and live obediently so that you might produce the kind of fruit that glorifies Christ.

And sometimes we get a glimpse of the harvest. The gathering of all that has been done in and through us and we see a tiny piece of the impact we’ve had on someone else’s life. Celebrate! God has done a good work, let’s give Him thanks!

Whatever season you’re in, savor it. Seek God in it. And give Him thanks.