A Season of Change

“Man plans his ways but the Lord determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

I’m in THAT season. It hasn’t been fun. It’s been hard, humbling, sad, and confusing.

In the past few months Mike and I watched our plans get interrupted as God determined the new steps. I'd like to say that we handled the changes well but . . .

We didn't understand God's steps, the interruptions and the changes we were about to face. Our beloved Betty, Mike’s mom, passed away quickly-within a week. Suddenly she wasn’t feeling well. Suddenly she was gone.

A few weeks later, Mike’s sister would lose her husband. Heart attack. Here one minute. Gone the next.

New plans. Interrupted plans. Minds that can't comprehend God's plans.

Other interruptions, a sprained foot, a virus, an achy back. Things that canceled our plans.

And then my 96 year old mom fell. She had a broken nose, back, neck, rib, and a gash in her head. This was NOT my plan. We were going to play cards the next day, have lunch and enjoy our time together! Didn't we have a life time of playing cards ahead of us? I didn't want to admit that I had my last game. Instead she was laying in the hospital, bruised and battered.

One week life was “normal”. The next week mom was gone. I still can hardly believe it. 

I'm starting to see God's mercy. Our loved ones didn’t suffer too long. As believers in Jesus we can know that they are dwelling in a place of perfect peace. Embraced in love.

In this season, I will draw on Scripture as needed.

"Because of the LORD's faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I will say, "The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him.'" Lamentations 3:22-24

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways. This is the Lord's declaration. For as the heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

"Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast." Psalm 110:90

I won't do it perfectly. My thoughts can be random. Sadness comes in waves. My plans will never be set in stone again-as if they ever were.

But God's ways ARE higher than mine. So I will trust Him. I will try to look for Him in the change. I will seek Him in the hard. I will rest in Him when I'm weary.

In this season of change, I will try to embrace surrender.

If you're in a difficult season, maybe you too, can take a reset. Focus on Jesus. Let Scripture remind you that God is faithful. He who holds the world in the balance, holds you in His arms.

Jesus, help us to walk in your ways. We want you to determine our steps ALWAYS. We want you to go before, follow behind and hem us in on every side. Then, we will be blessed. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.