Embrace the Within no. 21

“Bless those who persecute you [who cause you harm or hardship]; bless and do not curse [them]. Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief]. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty [conceited, self-important, exclusive], but associate with humble people [those with a realistic self-view]. Do not overestimate yourself. Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Romans 12:14-18 AMP

Yesterday we dropped the oldest off at college. It was really difficult to see her crying and missing her family. BUT it was also reassuring that she, despite talking a big game about being away from us, is rooted in the relationships she has with her siblings. There was a lot of weeping on her part because things were changing. Add change is difficult especially the first time your life really has to change.

Looking back over the many changes I have faced in my life, I have a different perspective on change. When I look back to thirty years ago when I was preparing to go away to Atlanta and begin my journey away from home and that change in my life, I now look at what happened to get me where I am today and how fortunate I am for the change in plans. I was going to be an engineering major and see the Olympic games in Atlanta and here I am now a middle school English teacher with his oldest daughter off to college. Life is too humbling to get too concerned about the changes. It is humbling because no matter how many books we write about the world, how many guesses humans have for events on this planet, how many theories we put forward and laws we create, we are never in control. And that is probably the most difficult part of change that we need to learn in life.

We are not in control and we are not alone. Living at peace with that concept is one of the most difficult struggles I faced as a child, teen, young adult, and adult. And it is a struggle I am watching my daughter face as well. Letting go of the wheel and letting God guide us goes against our independent nature. And that is the wonderful lesson God is always trying to teach us. Rather than trying to force our lives down the roads we think are best, we need to let God be in control. And that kind of surrender is scary at first BIT over time it makes looking back on your life comical. You find the humor in all the plans and goals that didn’t matter. I find all those changes that led me to here and now and how they shaped my purpose to be reassuring.

I know that she is struggling with the change today. BUT I also know that God has a plan for her just like God has a plan for me and has a plan for you too. And rather than weeping about the change, we can grow to rejoice and embrace the wonderfulness of change. Change allows us to be closer to God. Change allows us to love our neighbors. Change allows us to grow as Christians. Change allows us to leave our homes and create new homes. Change is essential for us to reunite with God.

Peace to your home. Bless your being. The reign of God is now. Have the day you want. I hope you find whatever you’re looking for.

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoGodsNoMasters #MyNepheshMyChoice #MakeYourselfGreatAgain #EmbracetheWithin