“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” ~Ecclesiastes 3:1 (Or The Byrds, depending.)

I live in Texas, which means we generally have two seasons: summer, and not summer. Summer is characterized by hot, sunny, hot, hot, sunny, more hot, and the occasional thunderstorm. Every year, right around the middle of August, my husband and I begin the discussion about why exactly we stay here; we conclude the discussion—every time—with, “Well, it’ll cool down. Eventually.”

And it always does. Of course, “cooling down” to a Texan involves nighttime temperatures below 85 degrees and daytime highs right around 90. Which, after a summer of multiple well-over-100-degree days, is downright chilly.

I’ve lived in Texas for 25 years now, having moved here from the great state of New York at 16 (yes, your math is correct; I recently celebrated the 12^th anniversary of my 29^th birthday). I’m finally learning that although it can seem eternal, summer eventually will end, and we’ll get to enjoy a few months of pleasant weather before the sauna kicks back in sometime around the end of April.

The change is inevitable. It comes every year about this time, blowing a “cold front” (being a Yankee by birth, I use the term loosely) through, causing Facebook and Twitter to light up with reports of open windows and hot lattes in celebration. Every. Year.

We’ve learned to survive the hot summer because we know the change is coming. It always does.

Seasons change. Things change. People change.

There have been times in my life where that knowledge was the only thing that kept me from losing it: I knew that whatever was going on in my life was temporary. It only felt eternal.

Other times, I’ve become aware that I need to slow down and savor the season, because all too soon it’ll be gone. Parenting has been like that; I blinked, and I suddenly have teenagers in my house. My pudgy little babies have become these long, lean and truly amazing people. It’s gone way too fast for my taste, and I find myself wishing I’d savored the season a little more.

Seasons end. That’s what gives us hope during the heat of the summer or the cold of winter. It’s what keeps us moving forward, growing, changing.

It’s what allows the new and different to be birthed in our lives. We were not meant to maintain the status quo for long periods of time; we were meant for change and growth.

It’s not always easy.

Sometimes new seasons involve letting go—of people, of places, of things we love. Change is hard, even when we know it’s good for us.

I’m entering a new season in my life, although I’m not really sure what it even looks like. I don’t have young children anymore; my youngest is almost 10. And while all of them still need me, it’s definitely different than when they were little. Instead of diapers and Dora, we’re into driving and college plans.

In this new place, the Lord is calling me to go deeper with Him, to step out of my comfort zone in some areas—and to lay down some things I love. He is speaking to me about my calling, my future—His plans for me, and how some things need to change. How this next season will require my time to look very different than it does now.

As of September 30, I will be stepping down from my posts as Co-director and Head Editor of Destiny in Bloom. I will stay on to write from time to time, but feel very strongly that my season in those roles has come to an end.

I have grown by leaps and bounds during my season at DIB, as a writer, as an editor and as a leader. I have been privileged to work alongside some of the most amazing women I have ever known. I have loved being a part of the vision to see women set free and discipled. Watching my (yes, my) writers grow in their craft has been incredibly rewarding, and working with them has made me a better writer—and a better person.

I will continue to be a huge supporter of this ministry and those involved in it. God is working in and through this group of rock stars!

So, dear reader, I will miss you. I will miss our times together, and will be praying God’s best for you. Pray for me in my new season, will you?

With great love and gratitude,

Nancy

Nancy Smith

View More Articles By This Author