With a good change we feel relief, excitement, happy anticipation; resolution, satisfaction or closure. Those are only a few examples.
A bad change might have us feeling devastation and loss; grief, entrapment, stress and anger.
But the change, be it a good one or a bad one, might not be recognized at first.
One day last March, one little act put me on a road of struggle and change that's demanded my attention for the past twelve months. It wasn't like widowhood which I still classify as the hardest of all life's challenges. It wasn't like our forced re-location to South Carolina, leaving a job and familiar places and friends I enjoyed behind in Ohio. No, this change was far more subtle. So small.
"I'll bet this could be really bad for someone's back," I thought as I rammed the shovel down hard to cut through gigantic clumps of hosta plants so I could divide them up and move them to other parts of our landscape.
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| One of my starters from last year's hostas. In a few weeks clump will be bushy and beautiful, about 2' high by 2' wide! |
Yesterday my Bible reading took me to Matthew 2, the account of Jesus birth. Sort of strange to read at Easter time, but what I saw was this: the holy family had some changes too! First, as Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem the birth pangs began and Jesus was born in a barn ---just what every new mother wants for her baby, right? They fled to Egypt and lived there for a while. And when they returned to Israel the disturbing news about slaughtered babies in Bethlehem steered them to settle in Nazareth.
Scripture doesn't tell us how Mary and Joseph felt about having needs and making changes, but it does tell us they were all for a reason-- a fulfullment of prophesy. The changes I'm going through have nothing to do with biblical prophecy, that's for sure! But I do know that the Lord uses stuff like this to direct me. I have a need to take care of my back or else be balled up in pain. Like I wrote in my book,
God doesn't force us to make painful changes. Instead, he nudges us with needs in order to make us willing to change. (pg. 104).Life changes can come fast and furious or sneaky and small. Next week I'll fill you in on some of the changes I have to make that will affect this blog. But before then, please check back here on Saturday for wonderful reasons to praise and worship Jesus Christ. They will set you up for a meaningful Easter celebration of The Resurrection---the most miraculous and greatest change of all!
♥ ferree
Changes are often challenging and sometimes disruptive. Yet God is in control, and He knows what He is doing. Changes make us dependent on Him which is a good thing. Knowing of His wisdom and love somehow helps and sweetens our faith. I am sorry about your continuing back issues, Ferree. ((Hugs))
ReplyDeleteThank you for the hugs Sharon, and Amen to your wisdom about changes---I know that you've lived it out and gained it through some difficult changes and needs in your own life. Have a lovely and blessed Easter.
ReplyDeleteThis is the 2nd blog post I read today about change. And yesterday I purchased a notebook with a quote on the cover about change. Te to sit and think about the changes going in in my life.
ReplyDeleteHi Teri, It sounds like the Lord is reminding you to consider the word "change" and how it relates to your life. A verse that always reminds me of change is I Corinthians 5:17. I hope to be mentioning it again later this week. Good to hear from you and I hope you had a special Easter.
DeleteFerree, How do I go A Shore?
ReplyDeleteHi Carla,Going Ashore is a Facebook group for widows past the one-year point, as you are if I remember correctly. So simply send me a private message on Facebook with the words Going Ashore. Thanks.
ReplyDelete