Transitions – eek…..

Transitions – They happen to all of us don’t they?  Some people do them exceptionally well and others don’t.  I’m in a major life transition and I can honestly say that I have learned these lessons the hard way (not my preferred method of learning).

Here are some of the transitions in my life currently.

1. Empty nest – Huge one!
2. New Church – which really means that I’m expanding my definition and practice of faith.
3. New ministry focus.
4. Moving to a new home.

Since I currently serve a group of constantly transitioning young missionaries I thought I would throw this out in hopes that it would serve you well.

Here are some healthy actions you can take when you are in the dreaded (in between stage).  This counts even if your transition is not a physical location but an emotional one such as waiting for a spouse, financial support, etc.

First look back –

Are their any relationships that need mending?

Is there any pride in your life that needs to be purged?

Are their any apologies that need to be made?

If so – DO IT IMMEDIATELY.  Every relationship is a sort of entanglement.  Don’t go forward with old roots tied to your soul.  They will slow you down & potentially stop your progress.

Check your heart for bitterness.

Have the courage to really be honest with yourself.  Own your mistakes well or you are bound to repeat them.  We have heard it said before but you cannot change what you don’t acknowledge.

After all that is done then take an honest evaluation of your present circumstances.

Be realistic but never cease fueling your faith.

What is in your power to do?  What is not in your power to do and are you spending too much time thinking about it?

Make sure your working your to do list well and praying up what only God and others can do.

I’m a huge believer in the discipline of a good attitude.

Our attitude is ALWAYS within our power.

Good attitude = pure heart, an undefiled heart.

Bad attitude = your mind rehearsing bitterness and untruths about God, others or yourself.

Your life is lived in chapters.  Never expect one to last forever.  Embrace the new ones quickly. Release the last one with grace.  Don’t assume that any chapter past or present is good or bad.  Only time will teach you the true value of each.

Last but not least, enjoy every second of it.  Don’t live in the past or the future.  The present is all you have power over and where your present joy resides.  Life really does pass  much too quickly.

Old Love

Not necessarily a catchy title now is it?

Roger and I were watching an episode of Star Trek (yes we are trekkies) and laughing at the silly remarks made by a young man on the show who thought he was in love after two short meetings with a pretty girl.

That wasn’t love silly man, that was infatuation.

To be infatuated means to be inspired with an intense but short-lived passion or admiration.

An intense flare of passion does not love make.

Let me tell you about old love.

Love that qualifies as old can make that claim because it grows stronger through the decades.

Old love is seen in the lines around my husband’s handsome face. Lines that were etched by the sun as he worked 60-80 hour work weeks so that I could raise our children in the early years of our marriage.

Old love is in his gloriously silver hair. Hair that turned more silver with every problem we overcame every argument we surrendered to the cross and every child we raised through prayer and hard work.

Old love is seen through the lines etched deep around our smiles because of the hours we have chosen laughter.

Old love is proven through the loyalty we each have given the other as a sacred gift.

Old love is in the silver lines all along my belly where my children first made their home.

Old love is still how my heart beats when I hear the car go up the driveway because my best friend, my lover, my confidant, my man has come home.

Old love is earned. It doesn’t allow itself to be manipulated by how it feels at the moment. Old love chooses honor, it chooses peace, it chooses loyalty, it chooses to focus on the good, it chooses intimacy, it chooses hard conversations and it chooses joy.

Old love chooses to sow hard work and to reap the harvest of delight.

So don’t be deluded by today’s silly TV reality shows or what this world or culture has to say about love. Infatuation is just an illusion and it is worth nothing. Old love is what you should be after.

I know it doesn’t make for a great reality show because it isn’t full of stupid drama but the hard work of a life well lived and a love well-earned.

Praying old love for all those I love today

Love as distinct from “being in love” is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will – C.S. Lewis