Saturday, September 27, 2014

Treasures In Transition

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!