Over the summer, we made some changes around the house. Those changes were exciting. Sprucing up the sun porch, some additions and rearranging in the living room, fresh paint on some of the outside trim. New perspectives. Freshening.
And then there are the changes of September. Tinges of color appear in the shrubs and trees. The hydrangeas are take on their autumn hues. Days grow shorter, shadows longer as autumn nears.
But life also brings changes that are not so exciting.
But life also brings changes that are not so exciting.
It happens to us all. There is a fork in the road that you were not expecting. Or there's a detour sign and you have to take the long way. Or maybe even the path on which you were traveling suddenly ends. There is no more road and you have to forge a new path, or at least search for another.
Those kinds of changes are not as welcome.
And yet . . .
Change is an inevitable part of life.
When I hit the detour or when the path ends, I have to adapt. If I dig my feet in or refuse to find a new path, I am only hurting myself. I am missing out on the joy that is there in the new path. I am missing opportunities to grow.
All of this, I believe.
But changes came and I found myself looking back. Longing for what once was. Wishing that I could return. Yes, I was looking for the new path, but I was also wondering about how I could find the old one again. Lord, it was such a good path. Why did it have to end?
One day the Lord showed me what I was doing, how I was responding to an unwanted change. He didn't speak in an audible voice, nor through another person, nor even through His Word. Just one moment I didn't see it, and the next moment I did. I knew then that my looking back was keeping me from the joys of the forward journey.
When such changes come, when a path ends, it is okay to be sad. It is okay to grieve a loss. But in our heart of hearts, there must be acceptance. There must be a willingness to keep on walking.
Can I welcome the change that comes into my life as a gift? Do I believe that my Heavenly Father's plan is good for me? Is there a purpose that I do not see? Can I find the joy that is there in the new path?
Change is an inevitable part of life.
When I hit the detour or when the path ends, I have to adapt. If I dig my feet in or refuse to find a new path, I am only hurting myself. I am missing out on the joy that is there in the new path. I am missing opportunities to grow.
All of this, I believe.
But changes came and I found myself looking back. Longing for what once was. Wishing that I could return. Yes, I was looking for the new path, but I was also wondering about how I could find the old one again. Lord, it was such a good path. Why did it have to end?
One day the Lord showed me what I was doing, how I was responding to an unwanted change. He didn't speak in an audible voice, nor through another person, nor even through His Word. Just one moment I didn't see it, and the next moment I did. I knew then that my looking back was keeping me from the joys of the forward journey.
When such changes come, when a path ends, it is okay to be sad. It is okay to grieve a loss. But in our heart of hearts, there must be acceptance. There must be a willingness to keep on walking.
Can I welcome the change that comes into my life as a gift? Do I believe that my Heavenly Father's plan is good for me? Is there a purpose that I do not see? Can I find the joy that is there in the new path?
Do I trust Him?
This is a question I find I must ask very frequently! "Do I trust Him?"
ReplyDeleteThankful that He is the One who "changeth not"! (from Abide With Me)
Yes, Rebecca! I was going to include the lines from "Abide With Me" in my post and then forgot! Thanks for adding that thought!
DeleteChange and decay in all around I see;
O, Thou who changest not, abide with me.
This is so true! Sometimes, we are all about change and other times hold on to the old for dear life!
ReplyDeleteI love how you said that one moment you didn't see it and the next you did. God is so good, lovingly guiding us and showing us the way.
Can't wait to see you soon!
He is so very good . . . willing to help, willing to guide. He is FOR me! (Amazing!)
DeleteLooking forward to seeing you too!
Tough topic. Struggling with change...
ReplyDeleteIt is quite tough when the changes are hard ones. Struggling onward.
DeleteI am praying for you today.
Thank you for this post - spoke directly to my heart today and was very much needed.
ReplyDeleteI am so encouraged to hear this. We are all needy . . .
DeletePerfectly said! The only constant in life is change.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. My husband quotes that often. He once had a boss who said that a lot. It is certainly true, isn't it?
DeleteAhh this speaks to me this morning well. Change is hard especially when there are so many unknowns. The truth is God is always on His throne. The kicker is that last question. Do I trust God? May I be steadfast, unwavering and obedient.
ReplyDeleteI am nodding my head as I read your comments!
DeleteThe biggest change in my life, is when my dear husband went to be with Jesus, 9 Dec. 2012. I miss him every day, but the grief is a lot less raw. Jesus has been my strength, and I look to Him to take care of me. He has plans for me and I want to keep my focus on Him.
ReplyDeleteFlowerLady
Such a hard, hard change, Lorraine. Jesus is our only strength, isn't He?
DeleteStill praising the Lord for being with you before, during, and after Irma.
Oh my dear Cheryl...I could have written these words...but maybe not so eloquently as you. I remember waking up one day and "it" didn't hurt so much anymore. I asked the Lord to help the hurt go away and replace it with acceptance, and He heard me! Thank you for this beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for this encouragement and your testimony of experience. He is so faithful when we ask Him.
DeleteThis past Sunday our minister spoke about the three signs of belief in God as surrender, repentance and trust. He said everytime God reveals even a little of his will for us we are faced with these decisions...will I surrender to God's plan, will I repent of anything that has kept me from following him and will I trust that his ways are best and that he has plans I cannot understand? Such a great reminder as we all hit walls and detours in life.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful sermon, full of practical truth!
DeleteI say I trust Him but I need to live that way more. Well put, Cheryl. I love how you described when God changed your outlook…just like that.
ReplyDeleteThose are my thoughts too, Dotsie: "I need to live that way more."
DeleteHe is so gracious to teach and to guide.
Well I guess if there is one thing we can be very certain of in this life is nothing ever stays the same. Except the love our heavenly father has for us that is, and thank God for that. How many times could I have made the change easier if I had just been willing to let go and move on? But I am slow to change. I fight it so sometimes. But it does come to trust doesn't it? Either we trust Him or we don't. I chose to trust.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think we're all reluctant to change in some areas. And, yes, I agree that it comes down to trust.
DeleteOh Cheryl, How precious your post is to me this afternoon. I am overcome with grief and the sudden end of my homeschool dream and the hours and hours I spent with my two girls (ages 13 & 16). I have homeschooled them since Kindergarten. My husband and I knew without a doubt that God was directing us to put the girls in school. There were many reasons behind the decision and thankfully, they both are thriving and taking responsibility for their education. All of my long term plans have suddenly hit a wall and I miss them terribly. It feels like a death to me and am sitting in a puddle of tears. I am struggling to look forward at all. Now that I have the time to do all the things I used to wish I could do, I don't even want to do them any more. I just miss my girls. You are right... I need to take a deep breath and choose to trust God!! I know He is Good and He has a plan for me too. I need to meditate on that for a while I think. I know God sent your post to me today. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteDear Kjo, your words move me deeply. Some of life's changes cut to the core and can be just as you say, almost like a death.
DeleteYou have had lots of big changes this year! I am so sorry for your struggle. I wish there was something I could do to help. And yet, there is! I will join you in prayer . . . for continued direction, for continued trust, for His peace.
Thank you for taking time to share. ((Hugs))
Cheryl, I recently marked the first anniversary of a path ending. Your words: "When such changes come, when a path ends, it is okay to be sad. It is okay to grieve a loss. But in our heart of hearts, there must be acceptance. There must be a willingness to keep on walking." Well said!
ReplyDeleteOh Jean, those times of anniversary and remembering can make the change seem hard all over again. Praying for you as you "keep on walking!"
DeleteOH! Cheryl, though I am somewhat late reading this, it is just on time for what I need this morning! So encouraging to me! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sue