Journeying Through the Seasons of Life

By Ingrid Byrne

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens”


-Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)



This Scripture is one that I hold very close to my heart... it speaks to me of the cycle of life. In it, God underlines the inevitability of change. Nothing will stay the same – the good or the bad. Everything has ‘a season.’

Life is full of seasons: some last longer than others, some are more difficult than others, and some we miss.

Throughout this book, I will share with you some insights and reflections on the seasons that I have journeyed through, and that I have witnessed in those around me. Also, I will share spiritual enlightenment, Scripture readings, and information.

Through my words, I hope that God will pour out His blessings upon you and upon anyone with whom you share them.

I want to dedicate this book to my daughter Isabella without whose encouragement and foresight I would not have started writing. Also, to my husband Raymond for his constant loving support and wisdom-filled words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jan 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9781728379739

Book preview

Life’s Difficulties

When people encounter life’s difficulties, they usually turn to God to implore His help and assistance. Sometimes, their countless prayers appear to be unanswered. This can be a disheartening time, during which they feel that God does not hear them, or alternatively, that He does not want to answer their prayers.

I was one of those people. After years and years of praying and asking God to answer a desired petition prayer, I increasingly became disheartened. Despite countless prayers, attending novenas, and making visits to every named holy place, I felt that any prayers that I had offered to God appeared to be unanswered. I was experiencing the same sentiments as Jesus when He cried out, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)-NIV.

However, during those years of many prayers, my relationship with God deepened and I discovered that the emphasis on my prayer being answered became less important. Why? Because during this time God was healing, strengthening, restoring me, and filling me with all the goodness of being a friend of Jesus. God began to increasingly reveal His will to me, and I began to realise that what I was praying for was not in accordance with the plan He had for me.

So, God began to bless me with the grace of acceptance.

When this occurred, I was then free to turn my attention to what was His will for my life. It was at that stage that I excelled in living the life that Jesus had chosen especially for me, and for no one else.

When I hear the lyrics of a particular song by Garth Brooks, it makes me smile. You might know and have heard them before…

"Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers.

Remember when you’re talking to the man upstairs.

That just because He may not answer, doesn’t mean He don’t care.

Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers…"

Remember, God always hears our prayers, and He will answer them in a way that He knows best. It may not be our way, but it is the best way!

"I will meditate on your precepts

and consider your ways." (Psalm 119:15)-NIV

Be Happy

Whilst most of us encounter difficulties in our lives, we also have many joys. Despite these joys, we can often focus on life’s negativities. As Christians, we are called to rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)-NIV.

God blesses us many times during our daily lives, but we often miss these blessings. Many of us assume that when God presents Himself in our lives, it will be in a wondrous and powerful way. Sometimes this is the case, but, more often than not, God is with us in the ordinary ways of life. Many people fail to see God in the small ways of life and, as such, they live their lives waiting for big divine presentations to occur. I often wondered if this has contributed to some people’s inability to believe in God’s presence in their lives today.

Many of us want to run before we can walk. We think Big, we expect Big and do Big. Small has become unappealing and undesirable. It is seen as insignificant – too normal. Yet, as the saying goes, The best things come in small packages.

I have come to recognise and to be thankful for the small, normal things in my life. Everything I have and possess is because God has blessed me with them as gifts. I have learnt to appreciate the joys in my life, the beauty of this earth that I live in, and the people that God has placed in my life.

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony (Mahatma Gandhi).

Yes, I have experienced difficulties and hardships, however, they are outweighed by the many more joys in my life. If we focus on the negative this is all that we will see. We, as individuals, decide upon what our eyes will look at. It is said that the eyes are the windows of our heart. So let us fill our hearts with the sight of life’s joys that God has given us.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the

bones." (Proverbs 17:22)-NIV

Three Little Words

I recall an incident that occurred a few years ago. I was driving along a narrow country road and I had missed my turn. As the road was very narrow, I turned my car at the next available opportunity, which happened to be at a domestic entrance. As I was reversing, a man appeared in a van along the road and, as he approached me, he began angrily inquiring why I was in his driveway. I was stunned. The man continued to vent his anger whilst I sat looking at him.

By the grace of God, a calmness had descended upon me… I then told the man that I was sorry for reversing my car into his house entrance and that I would move it away. This was followed by silence… the man didn’t utter another word but just looked at me. The furious yelling had stopped. The man continued to look at me in silence as I drove off.

I have reflected on that incident many times since. I have often pondered how three little words changed that very volatile situation… I am sorry.

There were many occasions when I didn’t respond in this calm way, and as a result, I contributed to arguments where angry words were spoken, often causing deep wounds in others, and in myself.

None of us like the feeling of being in the wrong. Undoubtedly, acknowledging our wrongdoings and admitting them to others is difficult, especially as it can leave us with a sense of vulnerability. Looking at ourselves in a negative light can be very challenging because, in today’s society pride and egotism are rife.

To acknowledge our wrongdoing is to display our humility.

As children and followers of God we are called to repent and to be humble of heart - to share the good news, not only in words, but also in our actions.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be

called children of God." (Matthew 5:9)-NIV

In the Silence

Prior to the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, the world was extraordinarily busy and hectic. Life had become a race against time, and many of us juggled so many activities. Husbands and wives were passing ships, children were practically having to make an appointment to speak with their parents, and grandparents were often becoming an added strain in what was an already tight schedule.

This soon changed with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic as it brought the whole world to a standstill - affecting people of every age, gender, and social status.

Adjustments had to be made. Re-thinking emerged. Re-assessment and prioritising became essential. The masters of money and materialism lost their grip. What once offered so much reassurance became weak and fragile. The noise began to quieten, and stillness emerged.

For many, God’s voice could now be heard amidst such hardships. Increasingly, it became a comfort and a reassurance throughout a period of great uncertainty and unsteadiness.

Personally, I knew God was always in my life. However, it took quite a number of years for me to appreciate his presence there. God speaks to His people but there are many who claim they cannot hear him. I remember a time in my life when I was so busy with life’s activities that I would often fall into bed at the end of the day exhausted. It was during this time when I was about to fall asleep (when my mind, body and spirit would be at rest) that God would reveal Himself to me.

I remember noting this and sharing it with a spiritually mature person. Their accurate response to me was that is the only time God can get your attention.

It was after this enlightenment that I began to make more time to be ‘still’ and, as a result, I began to hear the voice of God more in my life.

This was a time of great growth in my spiritual journey with God. I have since become aware that the times in my life where I have wandered from God’s path, have been times during which I have not made the effort to be still.

Unsurprisingly, at these times, I have struggled to hear His voice amidst the noise of the world. Such is the importance of