Honoring Your Season

Two years ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with a strong impression that the Lord had something to speak to my heart. As I lay in bed, I let my walls down and quietly allowed God to speak to an area of insecurity I had been carrying from season to season. In my heart, I saw a woman in a dark corner with her knees hugging her chest, grasping something tightly in her hands. As I came closer to see what she was hiding, she opened her hands and let a little light come streaming out, but quickly covered it—as if afraid to brighten the dark room with the light’s beauty. I quickly realized the woman in the corner was me.

How many times has God given me the opportunity to let my talents, gifts, and character shine, but the weight of all my insecurities cover them up—refusing to let others and myself experience all God has given me to offer? Too many times to count. I was then burdened with the thought that I was not alone in this war within. How many other women find themselves in the same internal struggle?

A few years ago, I heard a great message from Crystal Quebe about honor. She spoke on how dishonoring something means to treat as common. I soon realized that allowing my insecurities to hinder what God was wanting me to bring out in others was nothing less than dishonoring the season God had given me to cultivate.

You see, each and every one of us is in a season created just for us. You may be the young girl struggling with the transition into college, or the twenty-something newlywed trying desperately to find your role as a wife. You could be a woman like me, scared of what is to come with motherhood approaching, or the empty nester not knowing what to do with your spare time. We have a choice to make. We can choose to dishonor this season and become the woman in the corner, refusing to let others see this beautiful light, or we can decide to uncover the stream of light. This not only affects you, but it can pour in the lives of other women.

Roman 8:19-22 talks about the idea that creation is waiting in eager expectation for the sons and daughters to be revealed. I would bet there are a few women in your circle who are eagerly waiting for you to step up to the plate and reveal the uniqueness of your season that God has given you to let shine. Choose today to not let your insecurity trample this season; choose to see God has created you for such a time as this.

I am reminded of all the women in my life who have bravely accepted this challenge to honor their season. Thank you, Kristen Wright, for showing me that with four kids, you can still have fun and not take yourself so seriously, so you can join in the laughter. Angie Dickson, for opening your home to me and Cameron when you didn’t have to. Meredith Riddle, for teaching me that you can cook for fifteen plus people and still be a humble wife and mom. Or Crystal Quebe, who chose to let a young girl come into her home to simply fold laundry: you taught me at a young age how to keep a home. Most of these tasks for these women were nothing big or out of the ordinary in their everyday life, but their choosing to honor their season not only impacted their life, but gave me the opportunity to change mine. When we let our light shine, it allows others to do the same.

This post was written by Madi Mikael.