“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven”
Ecclesiastes 3:1


I love living in Virginia. The city I live in is located in a valley that is nestled cozily between two
mountain ranges that protect the valley from some of the harshest weather. When I feel the
tug of the tides calling, I can jump in my car and stick my feet in the ocean sand in three hours’
time. Virginians enjoy four true seasons of weather—winter snow, spring rain, summer heat,
and autumn frost. Like a lot of people, autumn is my favorite season—pumpkin everything,
Friday night lights, the beauty of the changing leaves.


But just as God masterfully created this part of the world to change seasons, he also created
our lives to be lived within changing seasons. I’ve experienced seasons brimming over with
happiness—falling in love, gazing into the eyes of my newborn sons, traveling to different parts
of the world, laughing and loving amidst family and friends. I’ve also experienced seasons of
heartache and sadness—loved ones leaving, dreams dying, family and friendships floundering.


What no one prepared me for was this latest season I find myself in—a season of
waiting–waiting on the Lord to show me His will and plan. There is a restlessness in my soul
that I can’t overcome. I wake each morning and read the Bible, pray continually through the
day, pray with my children and study the Word as a family, volunteer my time and money to my
church and community. Yet nothing I do seems to fill this gaping hole I find within myself—this
feeling that something very important is missing.


I’m a planner. Life has taught me that the best way to feel control over a situation is to jump
into planning mode, much like my children love jumping into piles of leaves this time of year.
The sun shines brighter when I’m able to come up with a solution to a problem, map it out,
jump in, and follow it through to fruition. But what does one do when they can’t put their
finger on the pulse of the problem? God’s word tells us to wait; to endure patiently; to not give up hope.


“We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the
endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father”
(Colossians 1:11-12).


Paul tells us two things in this verse: Pray for God to strengthen us with his power to endure,
and to spend time thanking him so we may be filled with joy.


While I’m quick to pray for and with others, if I’m honest, how often do I ask others to
intercede on my behalf? Matthew 18:19-20 reminds us, “Again I say to you, if two of you agree
on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am among them.” It’s not always easy asking for help,
but the echoes of silent prayers may just be harder.


I’m also one of those gals who looks forward every year to November so I can be reminded to
celebrate everything I’m grateful for.  But what am I doing the other 334 days of the year?
Time spent focusing on what we don’t have doesn’t inspire appreciation or spark hope things
might change. Isaiah 40:31 promises, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their
strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk
and not be faint.”


When life gets hard, hope in the Lord can be the only thing that sustains us. Because we are
incapable of sustaining ourselves, we need to actively affirm, with thanksgiving every day, that
it’s Jesus who can move mountains and open doors and fill the pits of impatience. We should
pray to the Holy Spirit, asking him to encourage our hearts and souls to celebrate the evidence
found in God’s word of his goodness. In Jesus is hope, strength, and abundance.


I’m not sure what lies ahead, but I know all is well with my soul as long as I stay close to Jesus,
praise him for who he is, and find the courage to ask a couple good friends to pray for me.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the
Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13).

Written by Sherril Odom