Changes..

There is good change and bad change in our lives (or so we see it anyway). Like, I don't like when my keys change position from the last place I thought I saw them. I don't like when I wake up to work and my computer won't turn on any longer (it's okay, I fixed it). I don't like when my favorite shirt ends up with a stain on it that won't come out. This is negative change.

I experienced major good change in my life when I found out I was carrying a child within me. I experienced change that night in the basement when I finally surrendered my life to the Lord. I experienced change when moving away from a town full of memories of my past. I experienced change when my daughter first smiled at me, first crawled, walked, said "Momma," among other "firsts" that one generally experiences with a new life. The changes that continually occur in my walk of life as a follower of Christ (sanctification). The change of my relationship with my Mother, who has turned into my best friend who I share everything with. The change I have experienced as a person through motherhood coupled with my relationship with Christ. And then there is another significant change which I will not fully mention here today, but it is there, and it is very good.

I am seeing that our perception of change is often blurred. Whether the change is good or bad in my eyes, as long as I've surrendered my life to the Lord, it is for the greater good and good will come out of it as long as I submit to His will and not mine. Even the initial "bad" change I can see the good in with the new kind of joy one experiences as a Christian. This, however is not always the case. Sometimes we experience bad change (in our eyes) and don't recognize when the good change comes from it.

Whether I go through something good or bad in my eyes, I need to remember that God is in control and He allows these things to happen. In the bad times, instead of saying "Why me?" why not say to God "If need be!" There is a reason for that negative and eventually you will again find yourself saying "Praise be to God!"

I pray that this might encourage you even just a tiny little bit when reading this! :)

Love,
Courtney