Change

Change is good. Well, sometimes.  And sometimes change is scary. Or hurts. Or makes no sense.  Change is a word of many emotions.  If I were to ask every person I know to define the word change with one emotion, I would end up with 185 different definitions. I don't necessarily think I could even use one emotion word right now to describe it. It seems as though change has been on the horizon lately in my life and I don't think I have just one feeling about it.

The Lord has said :
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

I try to take comfort in the fact that change is good. A new season.  A new start. The Lord has a time for each season of our life and the only way to get to that next season is to make a change. Rather to accept a change. Allow the change to happen. After all, no good will come from fighting it. The new season will go on with or without your acceptance. 

Sometimes we initiate change and other times it seems forced upon us. Sometimes it comes out of no where,  and other times we see it coming for miles. Sometimes it is out of our control or brought on by another.  No matter how change arrives, it sparks a feeling.  

I have too many changes to think about.  A new season heading my way. And I have to decide to allow it. To let it come.
 The Lord reminds me : "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29:11

So as my list of change has grown, I choose to be content in knowing that the change is part of the plan. Plans to prosper me. Not for evil. To give me a future and a hope. 

So many things are different this year for me. We made a huge leap of faith as a family and left our church. This is the only church my children have ever known. They grew up there. Their friends , since birth and toddler days were there. People I, myself, grew up in front of. A church I have been a part of for over 20 years. A church my family is still a part of. The church I wed my husband in and dedicated my children in. What a scary, difficult journey that was. God told us it was time. We had to go. So we did. We jumped out on faith and left our comfortable home. I can't say that it was easy. I felt alone and afraid at times. I lost some very special people and friends in the process.  But, it was part of His plan. It was and still is such an amazing change! We found a new church home instantly. One that God ordained and orchestrated!  We have since bonded with so many new brothers and sisters in Christ. The Lord is using our family at our new church in amazing ways. I just don't even have the words to describe it. Change. A new season.  Plans to prosper.  

As my children started school this year, I realized quickly that I have 4 more years with my son. He will be in high school next year and our time together with him as our little boy is slowing down. All our children are becoming so independent.  Kennedy will start school next fall. It dawned on me that my time as a mommy isn't what it used to be. I hang on to every little hug and giggle from my baby. I was pushed into a new season this school year. I am no longer needed at home like I was before.  I saw the "change" on the horizon. I saw it coming.  And the Lord laid it all out for me. I had prayed about adding to our family but the Lord opened another door. He brought me a job teaching at the school Kennedy is attending.  A new season.  A change. Plans to prosper. 

I recently lost several special friends in my life. Not to cancer or sickness. Not to death or tragedy.  But to words and actions.  I lost them to hurt. People will always come and go. New friends are made and old ones are forgotten.  Changes in "your people" are a part of life. But I have learned the hard way that words are powerful.  And so are your actions.  Friendship is hard sometimes.  Every person is different.  Some friends are more sensitive. Some friends are stubborn.  Some are near impossible to understand. But I have learned that sometimes change is something you initiate.  Sometimes your words cause hurt. Your actions cause hurt. And inevitably, cause friendships to break. Although there is nothing that can be said or done to repair some friendships, you can ask for forgiveness and move forward.  A new season.  A change. A plan to prosper.

Change is inevitable.  There is no stopping it.  It's not always fun, it's not always what you want.  But if you put your trust in the Lord, change is something you will accept and if given the chance.. the Lord will use it for His glory.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 
Romans 12:2