Fruitful Seasons

Life is seasonal.

I know that's hardly a revelation .... but it has been to me over the past little while. What is right and good and helpful for one season is not right and good and helpful in another. Words that don't hurt in one season, certainly do in another. Friendships can be seasonal, and I've perhaps never been more aware of this, as our family transitions in being, well, a family, and a lot of my single friends (while beloved and treasured) are finding other things to do with their time.

God made each year to hold four seasons, and I think there is infinite wisdom in this. Each year, one season blends into the next, bringing smells and foods and experiences that are quintessentially associated with various times in our lives. The ever-changing seasons remind me that each time in my life holds challenges and joys. Each season is never to be repeated, and therefore, always to be treasured.

Why am I musing so much about this? Because, after some thought, space and prayer, I feel that the season of blogging for me is winding down. Can I be frank? I have lost the joy in blogging. I really loved it at first. This place has been an enormous outlet for me: to write, create, and make friends. I have loved it. But I have to be honest with myself and say that I no longer love it. This blog has always been a hobby - something I did because I wanted to, not because I wanted to grow it and get sponsors and make money or become pro. And, truth be told, I no longer want to.

My daughter is growing. She is wild and crazy and energetic and worth even more than all I can give her. I don't want to spend my days trying to finish projects and photograph them and blog them with her destroying my house, or tugging at my legs for some attention and love. I don't want to spend the precious downtime I have on blogging anymore. I want to spend it differently .... taking naps, soaking in the Bible (because I really do love it), in learning to pray more intently, in writing, in study, or in rest. For this season, maintaining a blog isn't a fruitful choice for me. And so, it's with some sadness, but a lot of peace, that I've decided to finish writing for A Fruitful Life.

This has been a wonderful season in my life. The blog, corny as it might sound, really did encourage me to lead a more fruitful life. I've loved the writing, the sense of accomplishment from completing projects, the connections I've made with all sorts of people. It has been so very lovely to hear from so many of you who enjoyed reading the blog, or baked recipes I shared, or were inspired to complete your own projects. Thanks for coming on the journey with me.

If anyone needs anything, I can still be contacted at afruitfullifeblog (at) gmail (dot) com. One day, I might pop back in, but I wouldn't hold your breath!

So, it's farewell for now. I really do hope that being a part of this tiny corner of the web has contributed something positive to your life, just as it has for me.

With love, Lacey
(writing on behalf of Naomi as well)

PS If you want to transfer your blog affections, you could try:
B Being Cool (proud to call her a friend)
The Whimsical Wife (plenty of eye candy, gorgeous recipes, beautiful projects and inspiring reads)
New Nostalgia (one of my favourite healthy living blogs for some time now)
Passionate Homemaking (another fantastic healthy living blog)
Simple Greenish Living (a great, grassroots blog)
E Tells Tales (a great one to stalk daily)