Serendipity in the Changing Seasons

By: Chloe Grabeman

Serendipity.

A whimsical word that means finding something good without looking for it.

Transition.

A not as glamorous word that means movement, passage, or change from one state to another.

It’s hard to see any way that these two words would ever meet. Ever have any mutual friends or common interests.

It’s because when we are approaching times of change, serendipity is often not our natural expectation.

But rather we accept low expectations, apathy, and numbness; never anticipating anything fantastic or life-changing to cross our path.

But what if you were meant to find something good without looking for it?  

What if the end of this season served a purpose greater than low expectations?

Psalm 23 describes this mindset:

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

 

 

 

An overflowing cup.

A life followed by goodness and mercy.

We are not meant to live mundane lives just waiting for something to end in order to find something good again.

Let me explain.

As you may know, I am two months away from graduating. I came into this last semester determined to spend as much time as possible with the people that I have come to deeply cherish over the past four years. But in doing so I had subconsciously written off investing in any new relationships thinking it would just add to the pain when I leave.

But a few weeks ago, while studying in the library I overheard a girl talking about one of my favorite books.

As she walks by, I work up the courage to push through my awkwardness and ask her if that was indeed what she was talking about.

She was ecstatic.

That simple connection made way for meeting this incredible freshman girl who reminded me so much of myself four years ago. This chance encounter in the library (the most mundane setting of all) also served as an eye-opening reminder of a part of me I had completely forgotten; my love of ministering to young women.

And just like that my cup overflowed with the joy I had found without even looking for it.

In accepting the numbness that clouded the end of my wonderful season of college, I made God’s plan quite limited. I bought the lie that the only thing left for me was to graduate. That there was no serendipity to be found or life-changing lessons to be learned.

But despite my lack of expectancy, he still has a table prepared, an overflowing cup, and promises of goodness and mercy.

Both in this transition and the journey to come.

In these changing seasons, remember that God is big enough to make your ending moments meaningful and memorable.

He has a way of working unexplainable serendipity into moments where you least expect it.

Song List:

Thy Will – Hillary Scott and the Scott Family

You Don’t Miss a Thing – Amanda Cook

See Your Face – Housefires

 

Check them out on the Real and True Playlist on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/user/128815512/playlist/3YfqgeMjEUj7ZB8ydKd5qL