Life Changes...
Do you have a summer song? Every summer a song seems to capture my heart and it holds the memories of the warm, sunny days, so when I hear it during the winter time or years after I can think back to that particular summer. This summer the best song that encompasses everything that I’m feeling and going through is a song by, Thomas Rhett titled, “Life Changes.”
It’s the perfect depiction of how life phases come and go and what we think is our perfect plan may not actually be. This past year has been an intense amount of change for my family, some good and some bad. I’ve shared some of these changes with you here such as my sister-in-laws diagnoses and my decision to leave my full-time job, but so much more has gone on. Some I haven’t shared, because it’s not my news to share, but some I haven’t shared, because I wasn’t exactly sure how I felt about it. At times I have found myself dwelling on the changes and wanting the answer to the question so many of us ask, why? Why did all of these changes happen at once? Why do bad things happen to good people?
It also got me thinking that often times we really have no idea what’s going on with people. Sure, we see the highlight reel of life on their social media feeds, but that’s a small sliver into their actual reality. I should know, because I’m living it right now. I know I don’t post a ton of personal stories on my social feeds, but sometimes people can begin to think that no news is good news.
I think it’s hard for all of us to share the darker side of life, or the things that we fear, or what make us uncomfortable. But, I can tell you that right now in the midst of this change, in the midst of the unknown, I am feeling incredibly uncomfortable, scared, and full of doubt. It’s times like this that we test our faith the most. Times when we can hold onto our faith with both hands, or simply turn away because it may seem easier. We’re all human. We’re all walking through this crazy thing we call life and we have to know that it’s not always going to be pretty. God did not promise us a life without trials. But, he did promise to use it for our good.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whoa] have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28 New International Version (NIV)
Tonight I urge all of us to know that if we’re going through a season of change (good or bad) that we will come out of this season better than when we went in. It may not be easy and it may not be fast, but it will happen. We will see God’s grace and mercy as long as we have faith and continue to love and praise the Lord. As the scripture says all things are not only for good, but also according to His purpose, not ours. Everyday, I’m trying to figure out exactly what my purpose is. What destiny am I supposed to fulfill? I never had much time to think about this before, but I do now that I have given myself some margin of time. Maybe that’s why I’m in this season of change. Maybe it’s not only change, but it’s refinement (there I go again, wondering).
I hope this brings peace to you – knowing that He’s directing our steps. The winds of change are in His hands and His timing, and ultimately God is using all things for our good.
Blessings to you and your family,
Jenna
Three items I’m grateful for:
Owen’s preschool.
New friendships