Tag Archives: change

Watch ~ Five Minute Friday

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“Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:24 (NLT)

Watching for True Colors

Our two older grandsons were here for a visit last week. I’d planned activities to do with them every day. One of my favorites was something my grandma did with me when I was young.

While visiting grandma at her lake cottage, she’d send us out to gather Queen Anne’s Lace blossoms. Returning with our bouquets we’d find glasses filled with water lined up on the table and food coloring waiting for us. Each would choose a color to add to the water and then we placed our flowers into the glass. That’s when for me, the vigil began. 

As hard as I tried, I couldn’t keep myself from almost immediately stopping at the table to look for changes in my white blooms. I’d watch for any little sign that something was happening. Grandma would remind me to be patient and I’d truly try. But, my anticipation often got the best of me. 

I’ve learned that six and eight year old boys don’t share the same excitement as I had way back then….but that’s ok, I kept watch for them.

My floral activity wasn’t a total loss. The boys were actually interested in the process of it all. Quite a discussion was held about the why’s and how’s of the white flowers turning red, green, and yellow. This MiMi and ole teacher was pleased that they already knew that the stem carried the water to the leaves and flowers and that in nature, that is how a plant is nourished.

You know, it’s the same for you and me, really. As Christians, Christ, the Living Water inside each of us also supplies everything we need. And I’m realizing that nostalgic flowers aren’t the only thing I’ve been watching for change in; I’m keeping my eyes peeled for any little sign that my “colors” are different than they used to be too.

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 (NLT)

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

So, what does old life gone, new life begun look like? Bright hues shining in dark times. Cool tones while under pressure. The longer Christ lives in us and we in Him, He will perfectly color our lives. We should become a living palette of every shade of love to those around us and beyond.

“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. We love each other because he loved us first.”
1 John 4:16-17a, 19 (NLT)

I don’t know about you, but for me the vigil has begun. I’m taking a good look at myself  for changes that paint a picture of Christ. I sure hoped they’d come more quickly…. I know God (and grandma), I’ll try and be patient but, the anticipation sure is great!

Joining with the wonderful writers at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to write to the prompt “Watch” this week. Click over to read more!

Establish ~ Day 10 ~ 31 Day Writing Challenge

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“We love each other because He loved us first.” 1 John 4:19 (NLT)

Establish

This gal LOVES family traditions! So much so, that I’d clung tightly to the ones we’d established over the years (some since my childhood) without much variance despite our children being grown. From new PJ’s on Christmas Eve, to saying what we’re thankful for around the Thanksgiving table, to everyone’s favorite dishes for their birthdays, it was the same every year and that’s just the way I liked it. Then in a blink of an eye things changed.

Life does that…change, I mean. I’m not a fan. Now, not all changes are bad ones. We’ve been blessed to add a new son and daughter to our family. What you don’t really think about though, is that with them comes their own beloved traditions and families to celebrate them with. I never thought I’d survive not being all together on Christmas Day. That transition was hard! Maybe you know all about it.

We’ve all been through it. A loved one is gone, someone moves away, out of nowhere a pandemic hits, or it snows and travel is out of the question. Whatever the reason, the truth is that what WE establish in our world is only temporary. 

That realization set in once again this summer as I sat scrolling through Pinterest. Our youngest grandson was about to celebrate his first birthday. Traditionally, it has been me who’s baked and decorated the boys’ “smash cakes.” So there I was, searching for ideas when reality hit hard. Sutton’s health had changed in a split second and now, he wouldn’t (maybe ever) be able to eat his own birthday cake, or Halloween candy, or Christmas cookies. Talk about difficult…

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)

Learning to let go of MY deeply-rooted traditions has been a process, but surprisingly (to me) doing things differently isn’t so bad after all. Getting together on a different day, sending things in the mail and then being on Face Time together, or thinking outside the box to celebrate in new ways can be just as meaningful as those time-tested favorites of seasons gone by.

As it turned out, I was able to make a cake for Sutton to smash on his birthday. The ingredients were different so that it wouldn’t harm him if he happened to get some in his mouth, but it was made with the very same love that I made his brothers’ with. That’s the thing that change is teaching me, it’s not really the traditions that are important. It’s the love we share.

“Three things will last forever-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13

Another ~ Five Minute Friday

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“Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” Romans 8:18

Another

I open my eyes
What day is this?
One seems to blend with another.

The scenery’s the same
The company, too
I miss my grands and my mother.

I close my eyes
So many needs
I lift them one after another.

The fear’s the same
The worries, too
I pray that we’ll soon recover.

I open my eyes
And look for the good.
I list them one, then another.

The helpers, the healers,
The sacrifice, the love
Opportunities to serve our brother.

I close my eyes
But before I sleep
I count blessings, another and another.

The world has changed.
I hope we have, too.
New priorities for us to discover.

Yes, I open my eyes
What is this day?
A gift! Let us be grateful for another!

“This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
 Psalm 118:24 (NLT)

It’s April, Poetry Month, and I haven’t written one poem so figured today was a good day to do it!  Joining with my friends at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com to write to the prompt “Another”. I’m pretty sure there will be lots of inspiration and encouragement there! Click over and see for yourself! I hope you are safe and well! Thank you for stopping in! It means a lot to me!

Motivate ~Five Minute Friday

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“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Romans 7:15 / Pixabay

After a break I’m joining back up with the Five Minute Friday gang to write for five minutes on the prompt, “Motivate”.  You can read the posts or join in at www.fiveminutefriday.com

Time starts now:

Motivation doesn’t come naturally to me.  Actually, it usually takes something big to get me to do what I know I should.  It’s not until I receive a high blood sugar report that I’m motivated to exercise.  Company coming is usually the reason that motivates me to clean my house and unfortunately, guilt is what motivates me to do a lot that I don’t want to do but know I should.

Prayer is the same for me.  When things are going smoothly I sometimes let my quiet time be filled with other things even though I know to live a life connected to Christ, I shouldn’t. Often, it’s when life becomes challenging I find the motivation to pray.  Boy, Paul knew what he was saying when he wrote those words in the “do-do” chapter…..you know the one, ” I don’t do what I should do but instead do what I shouldn’t do”!  From his pen to my lips!!!!

It’s the time of year when a lot of people are making New Year’s resolutions.  I admire those who are motivated by a goal and follow through. Me? Obviously, not so much.  It’s never too late to change though, so maybe writing these words will be motivation enough to get me started to do what I know I should do and not do what I know I shouldn’t do!! What DO you think?

 

Change ~ 26/31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes

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“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Thinking about change today has brought several things to mind: changing diapers, changing the sheets on the bed, changing appointments, changing the toilet paper roll….none of these are things I love. I’m not surprised though, because my relationship with change has always been a little challenging, ok, maybe a lot challenging!

I like an even keel, status quo, comfort zone kind of life! The familiar is my safety net. And then out of nowhere, along comes change. It pulls back my net , lets go, and flings me kicking and screaming into the unknown!

Have you ever watched a caterpillar become a butterfly?  Every year my Second Graders and I would collect Monarch Caterpillars, put them in a large pickle jar I kept in the classroom, filled it with Milkweed, and then waited. Each day we’d watch for any sign that would signal a change. Then sure enough, a brave caterpillar would climb up the ruler in the jar, attach itself, and hang upside down. I spent many evenings sitting with my lesson plans and papers to grade in front of that jar observing the process.  When it’s close to the time for the caterpillar to become a chrysalis, it begins writhing to and fro. It flings itself back and forth just as if it’s kicking and screaming against the unknown! And then, in a blink of an eye it is encased in a green tomb.

I so feel that those caterpillars and I have been kindred spirits.  Change has turned my world upside down, too.  My mind has twisted and squirmed until I’ve wrapped myself in worry and felt enveloped with fear.

“What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly.” (Richard Bach)

 I’ve written other blog posts on change and now this one today, it’s becoming clear that God is teaching me something. I don’t know about you but maybe you’re with me and it’s time for us to change how we view change! Yes, it can be painful and it can be scary but instead of seeing it as an ending, I’m learning we need to embrace change as a beginning. Regret creeps in when I think about all I might have missed because I was attached to status quo.  You too? What if leaving our comfort zone and being flung into change is what it takes to teach us to fly?

So, to end I’m going to bravely test my wings and begin to transform my thinking about change.  “That brings several things to mind:” changing from working to being retired, changing into “MiMi”, changing from old house to new, and changing to become what the Master calls me to be! All of these are things I love! Now that’s a change!!!!

How about you?  Will you too, share a few changes you love in the comments below?  I can’t wait to see you soar!!!

 

 

 

 

 

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Wise Wednesday 9/7/16

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“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NLT) / Pixabay

Funny how things work out. My last post compared a TV show ending with a season of my life coming to an end (“It’s a Wrap”) and today I actually watched the last show of a favorite series of mine. In this final episode, the writers “wrapped up” the life stage each character was in and let us get a glimpse of what new season awaited them.  If a wonderful show has to end, this was a perfect ending.

My wise words today come from the farewell lines of character, “Detective Vince Korsak” and oh, how they spoke to me!

“I hate endings, the truth is I hate beginnings too.  I like middles, the steady sameness- comfortable- forever. But, I know you don’t always get to pick when life changes so I have no choice but to embrace this and I’m going to make it the best version of the next step that I can.”

I so often find myself digging in my heels and clinging to the “steady sameness-comfortable-forever”, but we all know that isn’t how life works. Change happens! Our endings probably won’t be perfect and we may not have a clear vision of what’s to come; but whether you’re retiring like Detective Korsak was or walking into a new career, welcoming a baby or leaving your “baby” at college,  keeping pace with teenagers or slowing your stride to care for a parent, or even moving forward with tearing down an old house while waiting for a new one like me; let’s embrace the path we’re on and be determined to make it the “best version of the next step that we can!”

 

Wise Wednesday 8/24/16

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For those of you who know me, no explanation is needed as to why these wise words are important.  For those who don’t know me, a quick read through some of my posts will give you a clue (hint: change could be an issue for me). I’m work’in on it! How about you? Embrace change or not?

Small Things Change Everything

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Our First Meeting

Our First Meeting

How can something so small change everything?

It’s a question I’m asking myself because life as I’ve known it has been permanently altered by a tiny baby being born….my grandson!  This little guy with perfect fingers, soft hair, and a cute nose has made most everything else fade into the background.  My priorities have changed and things I used to think were important aren’t now. My heart is overflowing!  Yes, one gaze upon this small miracle has forever redefined who I am.  I am still a daughter, sister, woman, teacher, friend, wife, and mother, but now for the first time I am “Mimi”!   All the paths I’ve traveled have been leading me to this destination.  I’ve had no map.  It’s been a journey of hard lessons, great happiness, accomplishments, disappointments,  adventure, heartache, forgiveness, and strong love.  Step by step, climb by climb, slips, slides, and sometimes by just hanging on for dear life I’ve gotten to this place of overwhelming joy.  He is my child’s child. She, who I held in my arms, now holds the future in hers.  The depth of emotion I’m experiencing leaves me breathless and my prayers for them roll down my cheeks.

I know I’m not alone.  Maybe you are also a new grandparent or parent with a wee bundle of your own.  Maybe a minute spot on an X-ray has changed everything.  Maybe a tiny seed of friendship has grown to true love. Maybe a still, small voice has guided you on a new path.  Small things DO change our world.  I’m reminded now more than ever that God knew the effect of small things when he sent his Son, a tiny baby to change all of us.  What a gift!  Perfect little hands that would one day be nailed to a cross. A miracle that would redefine who we could be and change our priorities. A life’s beginning who’s journey would be full of overflowing forgiveness and great love. I look at the world around me now and I wonder what the future holds for my precious grand baby. I don’t know of course, but what a comfort to know that He, the creator of all small things holds it and us safely in His arms and THAT changes everything!