A prayer as seasons change

Dear God,

Thank You for these eighty-seven days of summer. This season has been sweet and fun – and exactly what I needed. And, yes, I’m thankful we have one more week before I have to set an alarm, help the kids’ pack lunches and finish homework, and dive back into a routine of piano lessons and soccer practices. Of course, You know that because You orchestrate it all. You made our mission trip and vacation possible. You allowed the pool days and porch stories with friends. You provided opportunities for other nearby adventures.

Father God, You’re the keeper of time and seasons. I praise You for that – even when I think I have good plans and manage time well. I really do believe You are leading us where You want us – as individual people and as a family. I’m realizing if I do believe that then I have to (once again) let go of my own timeline.

I say I don’t want summer to end, and I don’t.

But I’m also excited about the kids learning and growing in a school we love with other families we love. My baby is turning into a big girl and will go to Mothers’ Day Out a couple days a week. I already know some of the ways You want me to spend my kid-free time and I have no doubts You’ll lead me to other people and projects I don’t even know about.

If I trust You like I say I do, then I want to welcome this back-to-school season. I want to rejoice in the new things You’re doing and will do. I want joy and peace and goodness. You promise You’ll work together all things for good for those who love You. I really don’t want the changing seasons to dictate my mood. And I certainly don’t want to obsess over my own selfish ways, insecurities, and worries when I know God has much more for me.

I bring You my grief of this season ending
with excitement for the one to come.

{Tweet that.}

I was recently reading a devotional by Elisabeth Elliot and she quoted a letter a missionary wrote to her father. Those words were what I needed to remember about You, God: “ … but with one look at self we must take ten looks at Christ. … We are in the thick of facing powers of darkness who are determined to rob us of Him and rob God of us, and you and I, my brother, have just got to hope in Christ and rely on Him for His Spirit to direct our thoughts, our ways, and our works so that it is not us but Christ in us.”

I’m remembering to look toward you, God. Let me hold onto that perspective while carrying the freedom summer gives my soul into the coming seasons.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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I’ve been journaling prayers like this lately, and I thought maybe it would encourage someone else. Surely I’m not the only one who is slow to process seasons changing! Feel free to share in the comments or in an email to me how I can be praying for you – regardless of what season your August brings!

I’m no stranger to resisting change, so I also wanted to share some resources with y’all, in case you need encouragement in that area:

• “Girl Meets Change: Truths to Carry You Through Life’s Transitions” by Kristen Strong
• “Keep a Quiet Heart” by Elisabeth Elliot
• “100 Days to Brave: Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self” by Annie Downs
• “Falling Free: Rescued from the Life I Always Wanted” by Shannan Martin
• “New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional” by Paul David Tripp

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