Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Seasons of Life

I've decided that change is inevitable.  Change is neither good, nor bad.  It is merely change and our ability to adapt to it and roll with it.

Change used to be difficult for me to accept and would throw me into a tailspin.  Now, I welcome change.  I have only to look at the seasons and realize without change there is no growth, no progress. 


Admittedly, there are often times when change seems to be happening all too rapidly and I struggle to keep up.  In all honesty, sometimes I am a rather reluctant participant to change.  

Looking again to nature, I need to have my roots firmly planted like the mighty oak. Yet I need be pliable and bendable like the graceful willow; able to withstand the winds of change. 

Recently, my mother had a health scare.  She had a vein burst in her brain and was taken to the hospital for several days.  Everything has turned out well, but in the interim my thoughts were random, fleeting and troubled with the “what ifs” in life and in health.   My Oh So Independent Mother didn’t want me to travel the several hundred miles to be with her.  As she said it, “I wanted you there with me when I had my mastectomy (and I was) but I’m alright.  I will let you know if I want you here.”  Bless her heart! 

A bit more than six months ago I made rather significant job change – still with the same agency but an entirely different job function.  I struggled a bit in getting back into the administrative field and still do at times.  However, for the most part and I am extremely happy with the change, the new responsibilities and the persons I work with. 

The church we attend has this wonderful “Clothing Exchange”.  Persons are encouraged to bring something and take something.  This time it provided me with the opportunity to purge my closet of clothing I had hoped to one day get back into.  Suffice it to say that my closet was jam packed full, but I’m happy to say that is no longer the case!  I was even most conservative in my selection of two jacket/blazer type items I can use for work. 

Our church has a wonderful Wednesday after school program called Sidewalk Sunday School. A lot of children who normally don’t go to any formal church attend this program.  Some of the kids with their moms are now coming to church.  The clothing exchange is a wonderful opportunity for the moms and their children to get clothing at no cost.  This is especially important as a number of the families are low income.   In our country’s current financial condition we all are feeling the economic crunch.  I feel honored and blessed to be able to participate in an event like this.  The Hubs is a volunteer for the Sidewalk Sunday School program, bless his heart! 

What changes are you facing at this time?   

How are you dealing with it/them?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
New International Version (NIV)

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.  

Tamara

PS - I am having extreme difficulties leaving comments on some of your blogs.  I'm not sure what the issue is but it just won't let me.  Perhaps it is the laptop the upgraded Windows, I just don't know.  I'm reading you! I just cannot leave a comment.

Added 11/04/11: From my Devotional -
All change involves leaving behind something known
in order to move toward the new and unknown.
It means releasing the way things were
in order to embrace the way things are and the way things will be….
Understanding our past is important,
but our lives are meant to be lived in the present and into the future.

—Leigh Harrison

6 comments:

  1. I've always believed that the only true constant in life is change. Once that is accepted, things seem to go a bit smoother. I also believe that God laughs when he hears the word "Plan"!!!
    I am so glad to hear that your mother is doing well Tamara. That is excellent news.
    I think you already know all of the changes that I've been going through. My way of dealing with any obstacle is simply to pray!!
    Love Di ♥

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  2. Oh Di! I cannot begin to fathom the changes you've recently had, bless your heart! And prayer is the correct response! Hugz to you, my friend.

    Tamara

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  3. Change is just that, Tamara...'change'....and like a cycle, it will continue.
    It's hard to accept change (for me)....but inevitable.
    What changes am I facing...?
    I am facing the inevitable change of growing older (with my Mom)...and with me. I have seen the physical changes in my Mom much more this last year. She has dwindled from 160 pounds (several years ago) to 95 pounds (that was her weight last night.) She has a sweet spirit and smile....loves God with all of her heart...knows that Jesus is her Lord and Savior.
    I know that the inevitable is coming. In the meantime, I cherish and love every moment with each of my family members....thanking God for all things.....no matter what.
    Thank you, Tamara. This is a lovely blog....
    Love you my friend,
    Jackie

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  4. Ah Jackie, my friend! We do see the enevitable in aging. It is an absense, not an end - PTL! Ours it the generation where we go from parenting right into assisting our parents. I believe this is called the "sandwhich" effect. A portion of my devotional this morning was on change. I may add it to the blog. Love & Hugz Jackie!

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  5. You've created a very inspirational post, Tamara. Wishing your mom the best.

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  6. I enjoyed reading your "take" on change...

    It was also good to read of your church's efforts to meet the needs in the community in such practical ways.

    Like yours (and Jackie's and others), my parents are both living and facing challenges of aging--at the same time WE are--just at different levels.

    "Oh Thou who changest not abide with me!"

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