Change

Fall is one of my favourite times of year. I love the beautiful vibrant coloured leaves and crisp autumn air, but as quickly it has come it is showing signs of departure. The leaves are fading and falling and the days are becoming shorter. This reminds me of the seasons of our lives and how quickly they change.

Change is something we all experience. Change can bring happiness or it can turn your world upside-down. For some, change is a welcomed newness or freshness. While others find it difficult to leave the familiar behind and fear the unknown or something new.

I am in a season of adjustment as my children are becoming adults. They are no longer dependant on me. Mothering my children was what defined me, it was what I loved and what filled so much of my time and gave me joy. I grieve those days.

For you, it might be welcoming a new baby to the family, learning a new job or settling into a new location. Perhaps your physical body is ailing and you are frustrated with the inability to do things that way you use to. Some of us are grieving the loss of a loved one and the void they leave in our lives.

We all encounter negative and positive emotions and experiences through life. That’s to be expected because change is continual. One moment we are on a mountain peak and the next we will be in the valley.

Scripture tells us that there is a season for everything:

There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—
A time to be born and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.
A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to keep silent and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (AMP)

I’ve been learning that these words are much more than a nice poem that happens to be found in the Bible. These are words for all of us, in every place, in every circumstance.  God has appointed the times and seasons, the events of our lives, successes and failures, the easy and the difficult, the wins and losses. The day of our birth and the day of our death are in His control.

The events of our lives don’t happen by chance. God has a purpose for each one. I have often found myself wishing things were the way they use to be when the kids were young, resisting the change, instead of embracing what a season of change can bring.

Though some grieving is normal, I know I face a choice. I can continue to dwell on the past or I can embrace the future. As I spend more time with God, He has been transforming my attitude, changing the way I respond to this new season in life. I’m relishing the opportunity to have more quiet time for thinking and praying. I have found that new adventures in Him have come my way. I’m enjoying more time with my husband and watching my children grow in their own identity, grounded in Christ.

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to give you a hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11

We can trust Him to execute His plan for the details of our lives perfectly. We can never fully understand what God’s intentions are for us, but we can take advantage of where God has placed for us for right now. We can wait with patience for the full unveiling of God’s mysterious providence. We can only see the middle of God’s work, not its completion.  He knows the beginning from the end and He has us where He wants us. Change is constant but so is our Heavenly Father. Scripture tells us He is the same, yesterday, today and forever.

I’m thankful we can trust a God who is unchanging.

Rather than allowing change to make us feel defeated, let’s embrace the change, let it motivate us to draw closer to Him. God says,

“Be strong and courageous, I will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

I am confident then when we have learned all He has for us in one place He will move us to a new more beautiful season.

My dad died unexpectedly at 56 yrs old. That was 19 yrs ago. One of his favourite songs that I can still hear him to singing in church is called ‘In His Time.’

In His time, in His time,
He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Lord, please show me everyday,
As You’re teaching me Your way,
That You do just what You say, in Your time.

In Your time, in Your time,
You make all things beautiful in Your time.
Lord, my life to You I bring,
May each song I have to sing,
Be to You a lovely thing, in Your time.

He really does make all things beautiful, for His purpose, in just the right season… in His time.