Once upon a time, I popped out of my mom-fog and found myself in the midst of a major transition. Our girls were moving through high school and college, and our oldest daughter was approaching this thing called marriage (um, crazy).

The woman in the mirror looked different and slightly ill-at-ease. Maybe a little lost.

The ground shifted beneath my feet and not-so-mild panic ensued. As I realized the needed-all-the-time parenting years were slipping away, I entered a season of unexpected sadness and loneliness. My heart flooded with questions and confusion.

Woah, what’s happening? Where do I fit in? What now, Lord?

This entry into the midlife years rocked my orderly little world, but God worked through my angst to draw me to Himself.  He used His Word, specifically Isaiah 43:19, to get my attention:

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.

In my deepest sadness and loneliness, God showed me that, yes, I was in transition. Yes, life was changing. But He did not change. My God did not move, and His call to love and serve did not diminish. Each day could still be full of passion and purpose—regardless of my age or life-season.

This emotional personal journey resulted in a manuscript titled Smack-Dab in the Midlife Zone: Inspiration for Women in the Middle. Released this month, the book combines scripture, prayer, and the stories of other midlifers to show how being smack-dab in the middle of God’s plans and purposes is the place to be.

From Smack-Dab in the Midlife Zone:

Perhaps you woke one morning and realized a huge chunk of time slipped by overnight. Every packed-with-activity day has been the same for so long you were lulled into thinking life would always be this way. Your son has moved out on his own, or your daughter has started college in another city. A wedding is on the horizon. Your parents are experiencing health problems and need you more and more.

You meet the gaze of the woman in the mirror and notice a touch of restlessness. What’s-always-been slipped away when you weren’t paying attention and left you feeling dazed and slightly panicked.

But in spite of what your senses tell you, this is not the end of a life of vibrancy, purpose, and joy. Your story is part of God’s greater story, and the best is still to come.

The God who promises to finish what he started is ready with outstretched arms. He knows this packed-with-transition season can be infused with growth, discovery, and edge-of-your-seat adventure. The only requirements? A child-like trust and a heart of wonder and anticipation.

Our Lord is waiting. Grab his hand and hold on tight. We have exploring to do!

Lord, I admit to feeling a little lost right now. My life is changing so fast, and I want to hold on to what I’ve always known. But Lord, I know you created me for joyful, purposeful living. You never intended for me to live in the past, weighted with fear and uncertainty. You call me to deeper waters—to live in such a way that others are drawn to you. I’m unsure of the next steps, Father, but I trust in your love and I pray for your perfect peace.

From chapters like Hot Mess to This Girl is on Fire, I hope readers will laugh and cry with me and say, thank goodness I’m not alone!

My greatest hope and prayer is for this book to provide biblical encouragement to women during an emotional and exciting life season. Our Lord has so much waiting for us!