Trusting God in "The In-Between" Reflections on Life's Seasons
- Amy E Smith
- Oct 10
- 2 min read
As summer fades into fall, signs of change are all around—the air feels cooler, leaves turn to rich shades of orange and red, and store shelves shift toward the coming holidays. These seasonal changes have led me to reflect on a quieter shift: the season of life I find myself in now.
As someone who loves to give everything a theme—parties, gifts, brunches, even tablescapes—I’ve been searching for the right one to describe this moment.
I’m a stay-at-home mom, but my children are growing into young adults. I’ve started building a course for women, possibly a first step toward a future career. At the same time, a longing to write for God’s glory has been stirring in my heart.
How do all these roles—mother, creator, writer—fit together? Honestly, they don’t. Not neatly, anyway. If I had to give this season a name, it would be The In-Between.
That phrase might sound vague, but I’ve come to a simple, peaceful conclusion: I don’t need everything to fit perfectly. I’m learning to embrace each moment and trust that God is shaping something beautiful out of it all.
If you're also navigating a season that feels hard to define, you’re not alone. Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 NIV reminds us:
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens...
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to search and a time to give up,
A time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend,
A time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate,
A time for war and a time for peace.
This passage reassures me that every season—clear or unclear—has purpose in God’s hands. I may not be able to name mine perfectly, but He can. And that’s enough.
Have you paused lately to reflect on your own season of life? Taking time to notice what God is doing in and around you can help you stay grounded in His purpose, especially when life feels uncertain or in transition.
There were times I missed the chance to reflect—caught up in busyness, unaware of how God might be growing me. I hope you’ll recognize the value of pausing sooner than I did.
Some of the stages we pass through might look like:
Pre- and Post-College
Newlyweds
Starting a Family
The In-Between
Empty Nesters
Retirement
Whatever your stage, reflection can help you live it more fully. Here’s a simple framework:
Look for where God is working.
Thank Him for what He’s doing.
Learn from what He’s teaching you.
Dear reader, whether you’re changing diapers, launching kids into adulthood, or wrapping up a long career—you can offer your season to the Lord. He’s present in the becoming, in the waiting, in the unknown.
Even in the in-between, He is faithful.
I loved this piece on "the inbetween" times of our life. Everyone can relate to this and it really spoke to my heart. I am in, what I refer to as, "the last chapter", as I am older and post retirement. I don't say this sadly but I realize that even though I am in the last chapter sometimes that last chapter is the most exciting time for many things, the end of a book, the not knowing, the anticipation more than the waiting. I am still serving the Lord and can't wait to see where I will go now and what I will be doing by the good Lord's grace! If a person is breathing they still h…