It's Your Season. Own It!

Maybe it's just me, but...
I feel that all too often, Christian women are encouraged to stifle their seasons. We're all for sharing the sunshine and rainbows. But if you're going through something hard, or less than pleasant? Tone that junk down. Pray through it, smile through it, lie about it, whatever it takes. The important thing here is to maintain a positive attitude and a heavenly perspective. Don't forget, we are the salt! The light!

I agree that it's important to count it all joy and persevere through our trials, but what about the way the darkness feels? What about the other women experiencing the same seasons at the same time, often suffering in silence alongside us? What about that time Jesus literally sweat blood?

As Jessi so often reminds folks, it's important to find some balance and minister out of our vulnerability. In order to do this effectively, I think it's important that we own our seasons. I mean, really own them. Soak them up for all they're worth and then share them. I believe real people want real stories. This includes the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Major milestones sometimes bear burdens - a successful career or homeownership, for example. Breastfeeding hurts at first. I'm not entirely sure why women keep telling each other it's not supposed to. Marriage doesn't always feel like the first date, and it's okay to have conversations that include words like "obligation" and "duty." You will embarrass yourself in front of your children. Eating crow will never feel quite as raw or redemptive as apologizing to a child.

Do me and yourself favor...
Next time you're chatting over coffee or returning a text message or crafting a blog post, and you get the opportunity to be vulnerable about something that might be difficult for you? Own your season, and then share it. Messy and murky and full of grace, allow the Lord to minister through your junk. I promise, you won't regret it!