Our seasons of life can be much like the seasons of the year. We may have seasons of darkness where it feels as though God is far away and unconnected from what we are going through. These hard seasons may include the loss of a loved one, health challenges, changes in a career, or other things that make life in this world hard.

Relationship Requirements, written by Martha Gregory, Lancaster, California Copyright © 2023 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Figuring It All Out, written by Allison Maschhoff, St. Louis, Missouri Copyright © 2023 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved. lwml.org Figuring It All Out - Lutheran Women's Missionary League (lwml.org)

he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, (Titus 3:5–6).

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22–23).

Although most of us probably will not be able to surf behind a boat or ride a Hawaiian wave, we can step out of the boat in faith and work in God’s kingdom, creating a wondrous wake.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Reflections during a trip to a spa on how Mark 4 relates to the goals and results of a facial.

Sowing Seeds in All Seasons of Life, written by Michelle Zollinger, Monroe, Louisiana Copyright © 2023 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. All rights reserved.

Find a printable version of the devotion on our website.

https://www.lwml.org/posts/devotion/sowing-seeds-in-all-seasons-of-life

O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come (Psalm 71:17–18).

Sometimes life is hard even for "more mature" Christians. Health issues and sometimes the rounds of doctor visits are never ending. Visits to hospitals and sick friends increase. Visits to the funeral home occur far more often, and even in the "golden years" Christians may suffer attacks from enemies because of their faith.

It is difficult to proclaim God's wondrous deeds when we are feeling down and out, but this is just what our souls need.

Don’t Discard Me, God! is a devotion on struggles and challenges, and relationship to God, written by Cindy Trombley, Harrison Township, Michigan. Originally published by LWML.

This devotional is also available for download at https://www.lwml.org/posts/devotion/dont-discard-me-god

“Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass by them” (Amos 7:8b).

I do not know if my human perfectionism is a blessing or a curse, but I do know this — God’s holy perfectionism leads to our salvation. He has treasured His creation since the very beginning, to the point of sending His Son to die for us on the cross.

Treasured to Perfection is a devotion on our relationship to God by Allison Maschhoff, St Louis, Missouri, originally published by Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 2023.

This devotion is also available as a free downloadable PDF at https://www.lwml.org/posts/devotion/treasured-to-perfection

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience (Colossian 3:12).

Jesus’ example of compassion is seen many times in Scripture, and we can use those examples in caregiving.

The Season of Caregiving is a devotion on caregiving by Carrie Brumbaugh, Lyman, Wyoming, originally published by Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 2023.

This devotion is also available as a free downloadable PDF at https://www.lwml.org/posts/devotion/the-season-of-caregiving