The Fruitfulness of Farewell - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - June 28th, 2026
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” - Isaiah 43:19
Our bodies were made to sustain a healthy rhythm, the sort that hums to a well-oiled tune we are so unable to control, let alone consistently observe, that science calls it “involuntary.” In and out, our lungs quietly take oxygen and give carbon dioxide, nourishing plants and other life in turn. Thump, thump, thump, our hearts keep a humble beat, the sort that, when we listen to a spouse’s or a child’s, we call music. We call it peace, the sound that the precious life nuzzled against us continues.
So it only makes sense that we gravitate toward rhythms and routines in other aspects of life, mimicking our body’s daily process of sustainability. Whether we love a detailed, pretty planner or keep a religious digital calendar that pings and dings all day long, most of us prefer a predictable schedule, something that gives us a heads-up as to what’s next. This means we can, in theory, be prepared for what’s to come. We won’t be surprised. We can show up as our “best self.” But when a season comes to an end, whether a relationship fades or a career takes a turn, what are we to do with the change, the farewell, especially if we were unprepared and our relationship with the familiar is upended?
We are to reflect on the fruitfulness of a farewell, of saying goodbye to what we've known, to embrace what's to come. Just as our bodies boast in the beauty of internal rhythms and patterns, nature showcases the beauty of changing from one season to the next. For almost four years, I have been the editor for iBelieve.com, but by the time you are reading this, I will have been unemployed, a stay-at-home mama, for roughly half a day. As a woman who struggles with pride and wants to prove her worth, it’s hard for me to step away from a career that justified all my college degrees. It’s hard for me to walk away from a paycheck that makes me feel equal to my husband in providing for our family. I want to hold onto the predictability of pride. Humility is still too new to me, far too uncomfortable.
But what joy this new season promises, as I get to dedicate more time to my two-year-old son, the little guy who carries all God’s light and hope in his big brown eyes! Truly, there is fruitfulness in seasons of farewell, expected and unexpected, if only we allow God’s goodness to lead us in and out of life’s twists and turns.
If you are in a season of change, saying farewell to all the comforts of a routine, I pray you notice the fruitfulness in the farewell. I pray that leaving what you know to embrace something new is an opportunity to keep your eyes wide open, your ears always listening, and your soul faithfully humming God’s promise that He goes before us, ensuring that our loyalty to His plan never leaves us empty but forever changed for the better.
Let’s pray ...
Lord,
Seasons of change are tough because they are often unexpected, uncomfortable, or both. Grant us your peace and hope. Remind us of your sovereignty as we surrender our love for control to you, submitting to the beautiful new road you have called us to. May we truly believe that your goodness and mercy follow us all our days (Psalm 23). In your holy name we pray, Jesus,
Amen.
What truth from today’s devotional is God using to encourage your heart? Share your reflection and join our conversation in the iBelieve Truth Devotional Forum.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/gustavofrazao
Related Resource: How Faith Finds Us When Life Takes a Detour
Joining us this week is worship leader turned viral comedian Heather Land. After growing up in the shadow of her mother’s decades-long addiction, Heather reflects on how this painful season—alongside her unexpected shift from the worship stage to the world of comedy—taught her that while our paths may take unforeseen turns, our core calling to encourage and uplift others remains constant.
Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Rachel Kessler, an Episcopal priest and Kenyon College chaplain who completed her PhD in medieval studies at the University of Toronto before pivoting to seminary after hitting academic burnout, then built a following as the “Nerdy Priest” on TikTok after a student secretly downloaded the app on her phone.
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