I've always thrived with change.
Most of my life, anyway.
Change has kept me challenged.
On my toes.
Engaged.
It's brought fresh starts.
New ways of looking at things.
Different perspectives.
That kind of change.
But I'm also learning.
There's different kinds of change.
Change that comes from moving on.
Closing one season or chapter of life.
Because it's the right time.
Or just the right thing to do.
My retirement is coming in about five months.
From a place that's brought me great friendships.
And the work is meaningful.
It's exciting.
And a bit terrifying.
But change is coming.
We've also been preparing for a change with where we live.
The choice to move from a big house.
To a smaller one.
Change that comes from simplifying and downsizing.
Letting go of space.
And what's familiar.
Letting go of things.
And where you've invested yourself.
There's that kind of change.
Change can also come from unplanned loss.
I've been learning about that too.
I lost my dad a few weeks ago.
My brothers and I walked through a short,
but terminal illness with him.
With hardly time to take it in.
The change of losing a parent.
Has shifted everything.
In an unexpected way.
Ways I'm just beginning to see.
So.
Today.
With all the change around me.
Some brought on by my own devises.
Or timing.
Some not welcomed at all.
I step back.
Take some time off.
To work in my garden.
Talk to my mom.
Write.
Pray.
Get on the floor for yoga.
And stretching.
Maybe take a nap.
Love on my cats.
Slow down the day.
And the pace of things.
To be good to myself.
And take in.
This season of change.
"If He gave us no rough roads to walk, no mountains to climb and no battles to fight, we would not grow. He does not leave us alone with our challenges, however. Instead he stands beside us, teaches us & strengthens us to face them."
(Read in my study notes from Psalm 18 this morning.)
