Julane Fisher“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity…“
Last summer, my husband and I took our boys white water rafting in Tennessee. At first, the slow and steady rhythm of the water had me wondering why people spoke so highly of this adventure. It felt like a simple float. Until it didn’t. The ebb and flow of the river changed rapidly. One minute I sat comfortably in the raft, the next my son was thrust overboard, landed on a rock, and was carried downstream. Sheer panic filled his face. Everything changed in an instant. Seasons are much like this. One minute you’re on the top of the world with excitement. Then the phone rings with devastating news. Or your home is hit with a natural disaster and you lose everything.
A time to weep and a time to laugh.
In the fall of 2023, I had just released my third novel. Pre-sales were soaring, and I was so excited to see The Text climb the charts for top new release! My hard work finally paid off. We were celebrating the book’s release and my husband’s birthday, only my son never showed up. Worry turned to panic and panic to fear. It’s a nightmare no parent should have to go through. Although my son was unharmed, the choices he made caused devastating consequences. The following month, my dad was admitted to the hospital and never went home. He passed away one month later.
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
After months of grief, I could no longer find joy in writing. My perspective on life had changed and my focus shifted. I’ve thought a lot about these verses in Ecclesiastes lately and how we go through different seasons throughout our lives. Seasons of joy, seasons of sorrow. Seasons of deep connection, seasons of loneliness. As authors, seasons of abundance and seasons of drought. It reminds me of our lawns. The grass greens in the spring only to brown in the winter. It dies in order to return with thickness and depth, producing blades of green that feel soft on bare feet.
There is a time for everything.
I want to skip the weeping and mourning and move straight to the laughter and dancing. But God promises there is a time for everything and He orchestrates everything for our good. Even the drought. Even the devastation. All woven together by a God who loves us. Don’t loose heart. This season shall pass and give birth to a new beginning.
God has made everything beautiful for its time.
Julia N. White
Sharon Rene
Victoria Kimble
Great perspective, Julane!
A timely reminder. Thanks, Julane.
Thank you, Julane, for sharing your story of different seasons. I’m thankful that God is orchestrates the details for our good.
Warm hugs, Julane. Max Lucado has some great advice for our challenging seasons: “Stay strong! Your test will become your test-imony, your mess will become your mess-age.” And I know you’re a great speaker.
Love this! Thanks for the comment.
Your writing is still touching lives with this timely post. These tough seasons will bring even more depth and empathy to whatever path God takes you.