But I don't like change...

CHANGE...who likes change? Maybe we like change when the job is tough and we get a better one. Or we like it when that guy is a jerk and we get a new one, but what about change just for the sake of change. What happens when life throws us a curve ball and we find ourselves in a change we didn't ask for or choose.

This year life has been full of changes. My oldest graduated from high school and went off to college. (Whew! Got one on their way to a bright and brilliant future.) We bought 45 beautiful acres with a house where we can escape the maddening pace and have a peaceful place to gather with friends and family. Our jobs have offered each of us new opportunities to test and stretch our skills. All wonderful things that we have embraced with excitement but then...

CHANGE

My grandmother passed away.
My mom became physically handicapped.
My son ended a 4 year relationship.
My daughters will graduate.
My youngest will have to make new friends at a new school.
My life is about to be completely uprooted from all that is familiar.

Change is hard! I want to throw a temper tantrum like a 2 year old child and have all the beautiful and none of the difficult, but that's not how it works. I want to avoid pain, heartache, disappointment and death. But what would life be like without change?

I was driving home from work the other day and I saw it. The first signs of fall were displayed in full color! Beautiful reds and oranges emerged on this one simple tree, and I thanked God for it. That's when He spoke.

"Change is what you need. You would be so disappointed if the trees were always summer green, or dead winter, or fresh spring green. You love the signs of change. You love when I take a single tree through each and every season. You love change."

It was true! Here in nature I long and crave for change. I never stop to think about all that is happening within the tree for change to happen. I just like the beauty of it. And that's when it hit me. I like the beauty of change and I need to be thankful for all the seasons and all change.

CHANGE

A baby's first gummy smile.
Wobbly legs of first steps.
The first day of school.
A name scribbled for the first time.
Riding a bike.
That first date.
Hugs before a long goodbye.
Wrinkles etched by smiles.
Tears that come when death separates us.

I will choose to be thankful. I will choose to enjoy each season of change and all that it brings. I will choose to live fully.

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under Heaven.