If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies… Author – unknown
Transitions can be challenging. Change isn’t easy, even if it is good change. When I think about my life and the changes I have experienced, I ultimately think change has led to positive growth in my life and when I embrace the reality that God is in control and I am not, things tend to go much more smoothly. It is when I falsely believe I am in control that gets me into trouble – Anyone else? Change is something we tend to fear and become anxious about because we do not feel in control of our life at that point. The truth is, God can use change to bring about a deeper faith and understanding of His will for our lives if we only allow it.
Marriage, going from being a working woman to being a stay at home mom – 1, 2, 3, 4 kids. Each new stage presented challenges as my little family grew. Then being a stay at home mom and going back to work. I think that transition was hard as I navigated work responsibilities and home responsibilities, never quite keeping up with my own expectations of holding it all together. Now most of those little kids are in college and we have only one kiddo left at home. Soon we will be living in an empty nest which I have been told is a whole new transition. I faced a scary health change when I was diagnosed with cancer and the changes that brought to my life and my body were difficult to say the least. From life altering to minute, we all will face the challenges that change brings into our lives.
I recently left my position at our church where I served in Women’s Ministry for the past 10 years. So excited to take on a new role at MOPS International where I am currently the VP of Global Ministry and Leadership Experience. I feel as if I have been transitioning into this position for the past five years when I first started working with the global team as a volunteer. I didn’t see it at the time but hindsight has afforded me clarity in God’s plan. Even though I knew this was the perfect fit for me it was still hard to change roles. Silly things like adding a commute to my day, not knowing where things were in the office, where the closest restaurant is for lunch, those small things that keep you a bit unsettled. A few months have passed and I feel as if I am settling in. I am used to the drive and have used the time in the car to connect with family and friends or to listen to a Podcast. My day to day life schedule has changed and the people I do daily life with has changed too, this does not diminish my ministry at the church nor the deep friendships I have made. This change has added new challenges and opportunities that I am so thankful for. I love the new staff I have a privilege of being a part of and I am leaning into what the future holds.
John F. Kennedy once said “ Change is the law of life. And those who only look to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.” How true. It is easy to dwell on the past where things were either great or bad, focus too much on the present if you are in a tough situation or are in a wonderful situation and fear it will change. If we do either we miss out on the possibilities of the future and what God has in store for us. When you finish changing, you are finished.
I think of the little caterpillar and how he creates the chrysalis. The chrysalis is the transformational state where the tissue of the caterpillar is broken down and new life begins. Isn’t that true of us, sometimes we must breakdown our lives in order to change and grow. It is only after the change and growth phase that a beautiful butterfly emerges.
Embracing changes in life can be hard especially when they are sudden or difficult but my challenge to myself and to you is to trust that God will use those changes to mold and shape you into the person He desires you to be.
It is often said that the only constant is change and that all good things come to an end. What if we lived in that tension and fully embraced all that this life experience has to offer, changes and all.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
Very well written! Thank you for your sharing your knowledge I enjoy reading it. All the best. xo
Thanks for this great reminder, Sherri. <3
I appreciate you reading ! xx