Thursday February 18, 2010 Day 18

Today was about the Winds of Change
This is very dear to my heart and the first thing that comes to mind is our blended family. I was married for eighteen years and and had the husband , a successful business and the white picket fence to boot. When we divorced I still remember to this day my youngest child telling me on the phone while visiting her Dad, at eight years old "Mom I don't WANT our family to be broken up!" while her voice was quivering. How do you tell your child that you can't live in an abusive situation any longer? That you finally realize that by your actions you are teaching your girls WHAT to look for in a man and that you are teaching your son HOW to be a man?
She's not old enough to understand nor does she care, she just wants her family as she knows it to continue.
So , yes I know all about change. I have had many in my life but I think it was one of the biggest.
When changes in life come alomg we must choose how we respond.We all at some point or another get blindsided by an unexpected tragedy or crisis. We can't change these hurricanes that blow into our lives but we can learn from prior storms. And storms will come ..sooner or later. The only permenant thing in life is change. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says "To everything there is a season , a time for every purpose under heaven".
The winds of change will either make you stronger or knock you out of the race. Change is just a part of life. In marriages problems will either draw you closer or destroy your relationship. Changes can destroy your spirit or make you stronger than ever. It can snuff out your dreams or inspire you. It all depends on how you respond.
In the middle of blows taht life deals us we can be tempted to cling to the past and the way thing used to be. Everyone knows someone who can't adapt to change. The wind shifts directions and they scramble for security. They keep reminising about the "good ole days".
The reality is if we don't adapt to the winds of change we will never enjoy life. Change is frightening , uncertain, and can create anxiety but it also can be healthy, dynamic , refreshing and necessary. We must embrace the fact that our ship will encounter storms at times. Life is not found in navigating around these winds of change :the abundant life is found IN these life changes. For a long time kept waiting for things to get better , for things to settle down, for things to go my way so my Real life could begin, then I realized this WAS my life and it was passing me by.
God doesn't cause the painful things in our life but He does use them and wants to bring good out of them. I try and find a positive for every negative. I have dishes to wash because I have food to eat.
Reality makes us change how we view the world and perspective can clarify our priorities. If you only had one month to live you would only want to focus on today , but in our crazy busy world we often lose sight of what matters most.
While we must learn to adapt to change we must also must know when to stay fixed in place.
When hurricane winds blow into your life, remember that God knows right where you are. Maybe it feels like He isn't even around and you are all alone. Even when you don't feel His presense He is right there beside you , He has never left. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to give you a hope and a future". No matter how devastating the storm, He will see you through it .
How has your faith sustained you through some of lifes storms? With the last storm you went through, what did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about God?
Spend some time in prayer thanking Him for being your anchor and for the ways He conTinually takes care of you , no matter what the circumstance.