Makeup and jewelry are not my thing. As our life overseas unfolded, however, I collected a few necklaces that represented seasons of ministry. They were visual reminders of God’s presence and His work in and through us.  

When I struggled with the vast ocean that separated me from our three daughters, a mother’s necklace designed by them often adorned my neck. Later, I designed a necklace that reminded me of my nine far-away grandchildren. Tiny engravings of Portuguese words circle the necklace, reminding me to treasure them and pray fervently for them. A necklace with an American Sign Language hand-shape meaning “I Love You” communicated to the deaf we worked with that they are loved and valued and reminded me not to give up, though results were slow and often not visible. 

During a season of struggles and difficulty, a sweet friend gifted me with a necklace reminding me to “Be still and know that He is God.” Psalm 46:10 I joked with a colleague that an inexpensive dragon necklace purchased while attending a conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia, reminded me not to lash out or breathe fire on others due to the pain that was my companion during that season.  

Rob Hurtgen identifies three seasons of life that everyone in ministry experiences. “Recognizing the season you’ve come out of, the season you’re in, and the season you’re moving toward enables you to be more intentional in life and long-term ministry.”

Remembering and reflecting are essential. Twelve stones taken from the Jordan River helped the Israelites remember what God had done. Paul admonished the church at Corinth to remember and learn from Old Testament stories. Likewise, the churches in Revelation were called to remember their first love. 

Some seasons of life and ministry are longer than others. Some are more difficult. There are seasons when ministry flourishes and seasons when He prunes and refines. In Psalm 90:12, Moses’ prayer recognizes that our days are numbered. Only God knows the length of our lives or what seasons we will encounter. Like Moses, we would do well to ask God to teach us how to live each day intentionally and each moment in a way that glorifies Him.