Abby and Eason,
As you know, a family we have been hosting for a month left today. I have always struggled with change, and reflecting on them leaving made me decide that the topic of change was something I wanted to write to you about.
I can’t tell you how many times things have changed in my life – friends, jobs, homes, etc. Change is constant. Yet, as I approached many of the changes I faced, I have fought the change.
I remember when we moved to Texas. I was so worried about you guys not being able to handle the change. But you both embraced it. I, on the other hand, cried the entire time the moving company was packing our home. Watching them pack our stuff ment we were leaving. And, I didn’t embrace that change immediately.
Some changes are really painful – like friendships that end when you want them to continue. It took me a really long time to learn to accept that friendships change. I love my friends really deeply and when a friendship changes or ends, I often find myself mourning the change. (I will write you a different note on friendships… some friendships are seasonal, situational, and some longer term).
And, a memory from this summer is still fresh in my mind. This summer, one of our foster friends thought she would be adopted. She had lived with her adoptive family for 1.5 years. In an unexpected twist, she lost her adoptive family and was moved to yet another family without even getting to say goodbye.
I remember holding our foster friend after she received notice that she was being moved. I remember her face when the news was given that she wouldn’t be going home and didn’t get to say goodbye. I remember watching her collapse in tears on the driveway. And, I remember feeling inadequate to handle the situation.
Our foster friend faced a change she didn’t desire. She faced a change that would hurt her deeply. She faced a change that would deeply impact her life.
I remember asking Jesus how to help her. And in the next few moments, I was able to speak words over her that I think are critical for us to remember no matter how big or small the change we face is.
- As believers, our identity is in Jesus. We are children of God. When we face change, we can remember though the situations we are in change, we do not. We are children of God, loved and secure, bought with a price. And He will never leave us or forsake us.
- If we don’t know Jesus or aren’t sure our identity is in Jesus, it is a great time to talk to Him. There is nothing in this world that will ever bring security – not even our closest relationships. Sometimes change can help us realize that we were depending on the thing that changed more than on God. It could be that we simply need to repent that to Jesus. Or, if we don’t know Him, it is a great time to ask Him to become our Savior.
- Lean into Jesus during your change. Read His word. The words of Jesus bring life. We are found in Him. He is the only thing that doesn’t change. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
I hope as you process change, that you will know that change isn’t bad. Seasons change. Change is often a good thing. But, change can also be painful. Regardless of how change impacts us, one thing never changes. That is Jesus. So, as you process change – good or bad – lean into Jesus. He is the giver of life. You are found in Him, not the thing that is changing.
I love you both and am so proud to be your mom,
Mom