Every season has its challenges and joys.

God has been injecting that truth into my heart with particular intensity this week.

I wish he would stop.

He began this exercise in my character development with a pain in my left side and lower back. It was a familiar issue that usually clears up after 1 or 2 visits to the chiropractor. This time, the pain has gotten worse.

I’ve been hobbling around the house like an old person, counting the hours until my doctor’s appointment tomorrow. Then I remembered that I am getting older.

Now, I’m fine with the perks of this season of life. Being old enough to retire and pursue my own interests. Paying 80 bucks for a lifetime pass that gets us into national parks for free. Having coffee with friends when I want.

But age-related hip pain? I am not fine with that, and I let God know loud and clear. At which point he injected a dose of truth into my dissatisfied heart.

Every season has its challenges and joys.

I tested the truth by taking a trip down memory lane.

The first stop was the birth of our son. This was a season of joy, followed by a special needs diagnosis, and interspersed with challenges inherent to his condition. These continued throughout his early childhood.

Through them all God brought just the right specialists, new medicines he could tolerate appeared on the market, and friends gathered round to bear us up.

To read the rest of Every Season Has Its Challenges and Joys, visit the Hope Anew website.

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