"In Every Season, Give Thanks"

In May 2023, our youngest child graduated from high school. And while three of my four children are single and still living at home, I had this overwhelming feeling of sadness and despair that my life as a mother was done, and that all that was left for me was to be a housekeeper for them. In the joys, the hurts, the tears and smiles, the long tiring days, the sleepless nights, I had enjoyed it so very much. Most of my friends were overjoyed when their homeschooling days were over, and here I was in tears that those days were gone. I couldn’t understand why, and it was hard for me to embrace the changing of this season of my life.

In the following days, I began to ponder over the last 25 years of being a mommy and then a homeschool mom. All the teachings I failed to instill in their little hearts while they were under my feet, and the many things I wanted to do with them, had slipped away. I felt like a failure in so many ways, but at the same time, I was proud of them. The children have always called me during the day on their lunch break, on their way to work, or as they were leaving work. Sometimes it is to ask me a question about something that went on in their day, talk about things, or ask if I needed anything from town. And I began to realize that my life as a mother had not slipped away, and only the season had changed in my life as well as theirs.

The Lord turned my attention to all He did to enable us to be together as a family and how He provided the means for us to give our children a Christian education. While difficult, I homeschooled my children for most of their schooling years. All four have graduated from high school; one has received an associate's degree, another has received several technical certificates, and one is still enrolled in an online college. All four are currently working jobs, active in church attendance, youth group, choir, giving, and trying to be a blessing to others. I am so proud of all their life’s accomplishments.

3 John 1:4 - I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

This past September, we found out that we are going to be grandparents in May of 2025. So starts a new season in my life as a wife, a mother, and now a grandmother. I am looking forward to the middle-aged, grandparent season of life. These days, I find myself telling my children just to relax and roll with the punches that life throws their way. “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: And a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” - Proverbs 15:23.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1.

In whatever season you’re in, remember to be thankful. Remember that life has many seasons. Some we enjoy more than others, but they are all times to be thankful.