An almost imperceptible cool breeze slid past my face one
warm September morning, but it had the
effect of transforming my thoughts in an instant. One moment I was watering my summer fried
plants and planning my to do list and,
all of a sudden my thoughts were transported to fall leaves, thanksgiving and
apple pies. Pumpkins and spice scented
candles and warm soup and football games and beyond that, the chilly winds of
winter.
Don't get me wrong, I
love Summer.
It has been a summer filled
with laughter and love, swimming, writing and walking the dog.
A summer of happy visits from nieces and
nephews, friends and family. Ice cream runs, farmers markets, hummingbirds and
fresh tomato sandwiches.
It has been a
summer of
crickets and candlelight, songbirds
and sushi...and a season of road trips all over the Carolinas, Ohio, Maryland,
Florida and Atlanta!
It has also been a summer of transitions as we celebrated my
daughter Emily's college graduation and move back home to Charlotte. It has been a summer of praying for a loved
one who is struggling in the transition from teen to young adult, and a summer
of welcoming our newest grand niece into the world. We also have a new houseguest as my niece,
Kelsey, transitions from "Ohio
Yankee" into "Carolina Girl".
What transitions have you experienced lately? A New
job? Sending a child to college? Is there a new baby in the family? A wedding
or a new home?
The transition of the
seasons is, for the most part, predictable even if winter seems to always
overstay it's welcome and the late summer sun can still cook the tomatoes right
on the vine. But life transitions are an entirely different bird. Often the
winds of change catch us completely unaware and we are blown onto a new path in
which we feel ill-equipped to navigate.
Maybe your transition
deals with becoming caretakers of aging parents or a transition out of a
relationship and back to being single.
Maybe you are even struggling
with the transition into the unknown with a frightening diagnosis or
learning how to parent a child with
special needs.
Transitions aren't always easy but I have discovered that
they always arrive with an opportunity for growth and, yes, even for blessing. I have certainly
experienced this truth in navigating
tough life transitions. My daughter, Kait's
coming out lead me to the treasure of God's compassionate presence, brought my family
closer and helped us to learn what God meant by this scripture...
"My grace is
enough for you,
for my power is made
perfect in weakness."
2 Cor. 12:9
We could have lost our way had It not been for Jesus who
guided us through those "unfamiliar paths" and I
remain humbled and thankful for His grace and His presence during all of life's
transitions.
Isaiah 42:16
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along
unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before
them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will
not forsake them."
No matter if your
current life transitions are tame or tough. Recognize that you have a Savior
who is happy to walk with you through them...and show you unexpected treasures
along the way!
This fall, as you step into new schedules
and new challenges...think about the transitions in your life thus far and
thank the One who continues to lovingly lead YOU!
