Changes

I have a confession, I really don’t mind change, but I really dislike the uncertainty that goes along with change. Sometimes, you need a restart, a refresh, that’s the kind of change I’m okay with. Other changes in life can be unexpected, overwhelming, rapid changes that take away your breath in good or bad ways. Those are the changes I enjoy far less. Regardless, change is necessary and unavoidable. We’ve went through a lot of changes recently. The death of my beloved grandmother, a move, the whole world being crazy with Covid-19 quarantine and the way that’s changing every facet of life…. those are the overwhelming changes in life.

My 20s were filled with striving. Striving for education, striving for purpose, striving for children, and then to provide the best way for those children, lots of decisions, lots of welcomed changes, lots of dreaming, lots of expecting. Going into my mid-30s, I’m filling those spaces with contentment. I truly believe less is more in every facet of life except education and Jesus. Those are hard words to type when I’ve spent a small fortune on paying off my undergrad and the ONLY debt my family has besides our home is the remaining small fortune I owe on my Master’s degree. Still… there’s no such thing as too much education (even if it comes at far too high a cost…insert obvious eye-roll here.) The point is… I would be okay with less changes, and more consistency in life these days.

It’s the feeling of uncertainty that makes change undesirable for most. The proverbial growing pains that go along with change deter most to actually make changes in their life. Desiring change, contemplating change, planning for change, and undergoing change can be stressful, intense, labor laden, and just plain hard. However, sometimes if you stick with change, beautiful things happen. Sometimes, if you step out in faith and endure the growing pains, beautiful things are created. Think of pregnancy, and the things that have to happen that are just plain tough, ugly, and painful about it… but look at the end result after enduring such hardships and childbirth… a beautiful creation. I often thing about the process of metamorphosis of a butterfly when I think of change. All the hard work and stress, and waiting that a caterpillar endures, to emerge into something with brand new capabilities. Imagine the view from the sky for the first time from something that previously only crawled slowly on the ground unable to see beyond a few blades of grass.

Some change is welcomed, sought after. Some change smacks you in the face and you’re left to pick up jagged pieces and ripped dreams. I’ve endured both in my life, and each has changed me, shaped me, molded me into the person that I am. Whether it’s gaining an accolade or a strength, whether it’s been yearned for or prayed against, in the end…we are shaped by those events. We are crafted by those changes, we are transformed by those moments. So if you’re in the middle of a change, hang in there. If you’re striving for a change, go for it! If you’re over it… stop and enjoy the moment. Try to see past the uncertainty and endure the hardships, for something better on the other side.

Be blessed and healthy!

Kristy