Irony of Change

This upcoming Sunday will mark our third Sunday in our new location at Southfield-Lathrup High School.  Brad posted some great pictures and updates of all the preparation & set-up, and first service.  Check it out if you'd like.  It's been a wonderful experience and I've been so proud of our teams, church family, and my husband, of course. :-)

Going through the preparation for the transition over these past few months has caused me to do some reflection about change.  I realized what I think is one of the most ironic parts of the seasons of change in our lives.  

Change is one of the most constant things in our world.  If there's one thing we can always count on, it's that things will change.  Our world was created to support it as evidenced by the four seasons and growth of all living things.  I would even venture to say that if a person thought about it rationally, they would never advocate that things always stay the same.  It wouldn't be a healthy or desirable option no matter how good things may seem at the present. 

And yet, knowing these elements of change doesn't seem to alter the fact that change always seems to take us by surprise.  We know in our heads that things will change, and yet when it does, our hearts can tend to fight against it wondering, "Why now?"

I consider myself to be a person that actually likes change, but even I have found in the midst of city changes, job changes, family changes, church changes, and friend changes, that there is part of me that longs for the perceived security and constancy of the way things were.  My prayer is that in the midst of our life changes that we would focus on that which cannot change (Mal. 3.6) and that He would give us wisdom and discernment as He orchestrates changes as He best sees fit (Dan. 2.21). 

Blog Wall

So I kinda feel like I've hit a blogging wall these past few weeks, and even a writing wall for that matter.  Writing truly has been one of my favorite things over these past few years, so journaling, and then blogging, came quite naturally.

Not so these days.  I'm not sure why, but I've sat down to blog several times over these past weeks, but just didn't have anything to say.

I thought about writing about the economy, but I don't feel qualified to make any kind of assessment about it and instead find myself constantly reminding myself to trust God more than money or security.  Whenever scenes from Cinderella Man come into my head, I must choose to push them away and trust God.

I thought about writing about my latest Bed, Bath, and Beyond escapade which blew even my high expectations out of the water.  But then I realized, how much Bed, Bath, and Beyond publicizing can one person do?  (FYI . . . they truly are phenomenal with their return policy.  If you know someone getting married or you're getting married, register there!!!)

And so, I publish this blog about nothing, remembering one of the most recent Demotivators that I read recently (from one of my favorite sites).

The Times They Are A-Changin

I had the opportunity to enjoy a 26 hour trip to Pittsburgh last weekend.  Yep, that included the 9 hours spent in the car driving.  Definitely couldn't have done it without the help of my sister, Samantha. (Thank you, Saulie!) :-)

Besides the fact that it was entirely too short, it really was a wonderful trip.  I was able to go back to North Way and speak to a group of Middle School girls about their identity in Christ and relationships.  Middle School Ministry at North Way was where I first cut my teeth in full-time ministry, so it was really special to come back to where it all began.  Besides that, I loved the topic and am really passionate about trying to communicate these Truths to women as early as possible.

One of the things that really struck me on this trip home, however, is how much things have changed, at least physically speaking.  When I left, 2 major projects were either just "born" or in a very embryonic state at North Way.  The Family Ministry was just gaining ground and momentum and a building project for a new Kidz Ministry area was just going to be started.  Not even one year later, the ministry is kickin' butt and the building is almost finished!

I've been a part of these kind of projects long enough to know that when you are in those trenches day to day, it feels like the changes are so long in coming.  To those leading the effort, it often feels like the changes should have all been done about 3 months prior.  Stepping away from the situation, however, and getting some perspective, really helps to see all that God has accomplished and is doing.  I was so proud to see all the work He is continuing to do in the hearts and lives of the people that I don't get to see nearly as often as I like.

It also brought a healthy dose of reality to the season in which my church is now living, once again, a time of change.  Working out the details of the change and move are important, but even more is the perspective that God is doing a much bigger change than we can see.  Although His ways and thoughts will always be higher than ours, it's nice when He gives just a glimpse of His reality to His children.