I watched in silence as the muddy water swirled across the bridge and surged through a neighbor’s soybean field.

We had expected the rain. Not this much of course, but the forecast had warned us of downpours and the resulting flash floods all week. And flood it did.

As the dark water moved along, we questioned- what would things be like once they receded? Would the bridge still stand? How long can tender bean plants hold their breath?

Several days passed after the deluge, and I passed that way again- the bridge is standing fine. My little bean friends lined up all in a row, stand soberly, their leaves covered with mud. The sun is shining brightly and life is returning to normal.

I see my life in this tale. Change is on the forecast, and so I stand and wait. I worry a bit about what my world will be like after those waters sweep over my life.

Yet worrying does nothing and the waters still come.

Sometimes I’m given the grace to take an umbrella and splash in the mud puddles, embracing the day, savoring the blessings that rain is to my very existence. But other days- not so much. I don’t always welcome the rain.

Yet the waters come, and recede again, and the sun shines, and all is at peace.

Is change ever easy? I’ve been sorting all this with my return to “only child status” after Deb’s wedding… I used to think maybe some changes are- maybe if you’re the one moving to the far corner of the earth (instead of the one staying home) it’s fulfilling and easy. Maybe I just haven’t experienced the kind of change that’s easy to embrace.

I’ve come to a conclusion.

Change is tough. It can’t be easy to adjust to getting up all hours of the night with a newborn. Moving away from everything familiar is terrifying. And obviously, changes brought through unexpected health diagnosis, termination of employment, or death of a loved one can be devastating.

And yet, there is joy in change. If handled correctly, it gives us purpose and often creates a ministry that we wouldn’t have had otherwise. What kind of tales would be shared at family gatherings if life remained the same and brought no change?

I am so challenged to rejoice in the beauty of today, rather than wishing for yesterday or worrying about tomorrow!

“When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt. Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord Thy God, the Holy One of Israel. Thy Savior. Isaiah 43:2

What lessons has change taught you? I’d love to hear,

Kendra

Bonus Pic:

Discovered a nontypical mannequin in Holmes Co this weekend