Seasons of Our Lives

Psychoanayst Carl Jung taught that there are two major seasons in our lives. The first season he said was one where we focused primarily on the biological and social aspects of our lives--having children, making a living, maybe acquiring money and social position. In my 30's, I was proccupied with proving myself in my career and became a workaholic while doing so. 

It wasn't until late in my 30s that I met my second husband, Bob, and we began to explore our spirituality together and found Unity. Thus began what Jung would call the second season of my life.

The second season of life calls us to examine our past preoccupations and consider our deeper calling, our spiritual life, dreams, and what we would like to accomplish before the curtain closes on this lifetime. For Bob and I, it was about teaching spiritual principles.

Within two years of our wedding, we had left our careers (mine was human resources and Bob's was journalism) and began to travel full-time doing seminars. We visited 240 churches in 36 states and Canada over a six-year period. Living out of a suitcase became tiresome and we finally placed these well-worn bags in storage and took positions in our old careers. It didn't take long to realize that there was something missing. We missed talking about God.

Both of us applied to ministerial school at Unity Village and we were accepted. After graduation and ordination we went into church ministry. For us, it has been about serving--sharing ourselves and making a difference in the world and helping to facilitate transformation.

I believe that Jung may be right about two major seasons. But when I think of all the changes that occurred within those two seasons, it seems like many seasons. Each has provided me with lessons and  opportunities to increase my awareness of God's presence and power in my life.

Someone sent me an email today that reminded me that we cannot make judgments about life based on the season that we are in currently. We may be experiencing a time of challenge that feels like winter. Perhaps everything looks as gray as the winter sky and feels as cold as the blustery days of January. But as sure as the first blades of green grass arrive in the spring, our lives also evolve and we remember that "this, too, shall pass."

Our first Unity minister in Chicago, Rev. Mike, would always tell us, "You know it says in the Bible, 'And it came to pass.' Well, that means that it didn't come to stay! So don't worry, whatever is driving you crazy today will be gone before you know it."

Whatever season you are in currently, rejoice and know that every season has a purpose. And regardless of the season, God is present and willing to guide us, to strengthen us, as we complete our season and move into the next.

May 2008 be a year of appreciation for all of life's seasons and may you truly feel the presence of God in your life in a deeper and more personal way than ever before.