“This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Exodus 12:2
When we had our first son, our yellow lab was a year old. He took to the baby right away and had a new best friend! From pretty much that first day, where my son was, you’d find the dog too. I don’t have a ton of pictures of only my oldest because that dog tended to photobomb his fair share.
That dog would let my kids do whatever they wanted to him. If they were dressing up, he was dressing up. I remember shaking my head as the dog sat there with a construction hat on and goggles like it was absolutely normal for him to be wearing them. I’d often have to remind my children that he was not a step stool, but it was hard to reinforce that when the dog let them use him to get their little bodies up on the couch. Life sure became exciting for my dog when the boys came into the picture!
As I was walking down the road the other day, it really had me thinking of that old dog. I was noticing how the leaves were changing and starting to fall down. It took me back to the year when we were raking leaves at the Barbie House (it was a blue and pink rental) with our oldest son. We’d get them all in a pile and the fun would start! I swear that dog had a big, silly grin on his face, while my son giggled nonstop.
Anyhow, there I was walking down the road having flashbacks to that great time when it hit me that my giggling little boy who would put his arm around a dog that was taller than him, is now taller than me. He doesn’t really jump in leaves anymore! Now instead of raking, we get the lawn mower out or a leaf blower. Times change.
Kids grow up and move on to different activities, but autumn happens every single year where I live. We watch the leaves turn colors and let go of the trees in order for a new season to take place. So even though we have the consistency of our seasons, they go through the patterns of change too.
Have you ever noticed those oak trees where it’s January and the leaves are still holding on? They turn pretty ugly while it seems they’re pleading not to move on to the next chapter. They’re all brown and withered at that point. Have you noticed how leaves are brighter, more intense, and vibrant during that season just before they’re ready to let go of the old?
Listen, don’t be a brown and withered leaf! Be that bright, intense, and vibrant leaf. Don’t be afraid of change and moving on into a new chapter in life. When we cling so tightly to what used to be, we start looking pretty withered up and sad.
Think about it this way…we all start out as a bud, and then we flourish into a strong green leaf. As we mature in whatever area we’ve been evolving, we’re at our brightest and most intense color with our vibrancy shimmering off us. When we get to that point, God isn’t ready for us to stay stagnant and just hang out there. It’s time for a new season. Others will come in and start their cycle, but we need to vacate the premises!
There’s a next level where we need to bud and work our way through. Only one level in a video game would seem silly, right? How crazy would it be that when we reach the top of the first level, we’re done. That would be pretty pitiful…we need to move on to the next level! Just like there are many levels in a video game, there are many levels in life. Yes, we’re starting at the beginning of the next level, but it’s a level higher than we were before.
I know that I’ve already gone through different levels and seasons, but I know “the best” is not behind me. Yes, I might look back feeling some loss every now and then, but I know that this life is short and I’m going to go through as many levels as God has prepared for me. Uh-uh, that brown, withered look isn’t for me!
I can look back at all the blessings and memories of my old dog and hold tight to the memories of my boys as little ones, but I need to cherish the time I have with my new pup and celebrate the phase of life my boys are in now. I need to enjoy this season where I’m at because before I know it, it’ll be time to start a new phase. I’m not getting older, I’m getting more vibrant! I think I’ll inform my hubby of that tonight.
What about you? Are you holding on to a season in your life when instead, you should’ve gotten excited about the next level? Are you starting to wither where you’re at? If you are, let go! Move up to the next level and enjoy it…stop being where you aren’t growing! Let this be the first month of your year.
