I feel there is a storm brewing, not in the sky but in me. Like storm clouds build and then roll in, so I feel menopause is building and rolling in on me.
When storms start brewing the clouds build, the sky darkens, then the lightning and thunder can start way before the storm front is actually upon us, then when it is upon us the rain starts to fall.
That is how I feel at the moment, the storm clouds and thunder and lightning are starting and the rain hasn’t reached me yet.
I am in that time of life, the beginning of the end of my child bearing years. For the most part I am accepting of my place in life and with our beautiful granddaughters there are still babies in our life.
But like when storms approach there is the urge to bury ourselves under the blankets on our bed and cover our ears until it passes.
I must admit this is a tempting feeling and at times I just want to stay under the covers until it all passes.
But there is the other sides of storms the excitement of watching it roll in and seeing the lightning light up the sky. Then it is the rain coming that often pours down in buckets and in summer washes the heat away and brings a freshness to the air.
I want to be like this, standing on the edge of the storm, bracing myself for it’s coming. I want to stand on the front veranda of my life and face it full on, watching the lightning light up my life and bring me into the freshness and newness of a new period of my journey towards Heaven.
I am only on the beginning of this transition. I don’t have medical proof but the signs are starting to show. The added weight gain, the occasional hot flushes, the sometimes extreme weariness.
The storm is brewing in my life, ladies and I am praying that I can face it full on, with my reliance on God, not on myself.
Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him. For the help of His countenance.
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This is very well written. I was expecting a different hardship, when I read the blurb on my bloglovin feed. Thanks for writing this! Your metaphors are quite lovely.
Thank you so much Anastasia for stopping by and for your kind and encouraging comment. Blessings to you and yours.
Hang in there Terri. You’ll get through it! Just think of the beauty after the storm! Your neighbor over at The Beauty in His Grip.
Thank you so much Mary for your encouraging comment. Can’t wait to see the beauty after the storm, will hang onto my Lord until then. Blessings and thanks for stopping by.
I’m just about where you are. I’m trying to accept that fact that babies are probably finished for me until I start having grandchildren. There’s a big part of me that is sad, but another part of me is starting to enjoy the little bit more freedom. I know the Lord will give grace as I need it, just as He gave grace for caring for my children when they were all little.
Oh Jennifer I know where you are coming from so much. Thank the Lord for His grace to us just when we need it most. Blessings to you and I appreciate your comment.
Hmmm…not sure how close I am to menopause. But just over a year ago, I had to have a procedure to help with my adenomyosis (similar to endometriosis). This meant that for certain, my child-bearing years were over. I think they were over before that since my uterus wasn’t working properly anyway…BUT…I was grieving that ‘loss’. I cried out to God and said it wasn’t fair. This is not MY choice! He gently said to me, “No, Aimee, it isn’t your choice. But it is Mine. My timing is perfect. My plan is perfect.” Once I heard that, it was much easier for me to accept that my baby years were final. I still have quite a few years before grandbabies…but those hot flashes are well on their way! Not sure if the procedure moved things along sooner??? I am only 41, but it just makes sense to me.
I’ll be praying for you Terri as you journey through this new transition!
Thank you so much Aimee for sharing part of your story with me. It seems we don’t talk about menopause too much, but I seem to want to know the worst and the best of it, I like to be prepared. I am sorry that you had to have that procedure that ceased your child bearing years but I am so thankful that you are relying on God’s plan for your life. It makes sense to me that the operation would speed things up and I think we should pray for each other, as we face this journey. Blessings to you and your family Aimee, and thank you for being such a blessing and support. Have a great week.
Your honesty and transparency in this post I know will be a blessing to others who read and may be starting to face the same time in their life.
The grace with which you are handling it and your reliance on God is an inspiration.
It is always hard when a season ends in our lives, but the wonderful news is that the Lord is with us in EVERY season. 🙂
Blessings,
Karen
Thank you so much Karen for your most kind and very encouraging comment. You are so right it is wonderful news to know that God is with us at all times. Thank you Lord. Blessings to you Karen.
Ah, this particular storm is on the horizon for me as well! And I am often under the clouds of regret over my children growing up and myself growing older, too. I remind myself over and over of 2 things: 1)those who have lost young children would give anything for the joy of seeing them age; and 2)I should be grateful for the privilege of seeing the years pile up because it is one denied to many. May God of the storm bless and keep you and grant you hope…stopping by from Moms Morning Coffee!
Thank you so much Elizabeth for your encouraging comment. I don’t mind too much growing older but I do find it hard sometimes to watch the younger children grow up and I miss them being babies. Life moves on and your points are so true and something to always keep in mind, and also that God is in control of our storm. Thank you so much for stopping by. Blessings to you as you come closer to this time in your life.
Oh, the storm! What a great metaphor for all the changes we experience — and the feelings that go with them!
Excellent and thoughtful!
Thank you Michele for your encouraging comment, it was very encouraging to me. Blessings to you
Thanks for sharing. Great metaphor. You have the right idea – seek refuge in Him until the storm passes! Have a wonderful day.
Thank you Dr Michelle for your comment and advice. It will definitely be my aim to seek refuge in Him and I appreciate your encouragement. Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a great week. Blessings
I have been menopaused for over about 8 years now. The thing I have found to be the most challenging are those hot flashes. They are worse when I am stressed. It is a reality that all of us women have to face. But faith we can make it.
Thank you Trish for sharing your thoughts and advice with us. The hot flushes are quite interesting and such a different thing from just being “hot” in the summer, and I have noticed as well, like you, they are worse when stressed or tense. Thanks for stopping by and blessings to you.
I too fail to readily embrace change! Thank you for your honest expression here. Praying you find God surprisingly faithful as you walk this new path.
Thank you so much Kelly for your kind and encouraging comment, also your prayers are much appreciated. Chance can be so hard at times, let us remember to cling to God who orchestrates our life. Blessings to you and your dear family.
A long time ago I was told that my ‘animal avatar’ was the Cape Buff; that stolid denizen of the veldt who cares neither for rain nor sun nor wind.
But wrong him, and he will make sure you wish you had not.
There are storms aplenty in my life now, and I find that I neither fear them, nor marvel at them. They are simply part of the environment, and in acceptance lies freedom.
Here from Still Saturday; I am #1 this week. The Dog Picture.
Andrew, I appreciate your comment and your thoughts and I do agree that in acceptance lies freedom. Thank you again for stopping by. May you be blessed this weekend.
enjoy your writing.
Thank you again Denise for stopping by and for your kind comment. Blessings to you this weekend.
Love the analogy! I know those storms well and have made it through. My storms are a little different now as I learn a new life change with both of my sons engaged and this mom becoming a mother in law. It’s one thing to set your kids free when they go to college but a whole other thing when you add daughters-in-law into the family. Thankful I am your neighbor today at Give me Grace.
Thank you Mary for sharing your thoughts with us. I agree about it being a different kettle of fish when our children get married. For us our oldest was home until that day, so it was a bit heart wrenching when it happened. She has married a wonderful Christian man who loves her so much and this is wonderful. I hope and pray you adjust easily and that your new daughters-in-law are a blessing to you. As mothers we need to be careful how we are when we become mothers-in-laws, this is such a learning curve as well. Blessings to you and I am so thankful that you stopped by.