change

The Goodness of Change

~ mercyfortheday ~ 1 Comment

The weather has been mild this past week. Aahhh. We say. The winter has been cold and any snow is too much for me, so I’m happy with the sunny warmer days. I’ve begun taking walks around this very small town of mine. I’ve never lived here in the springtime, so it will be interesting to see how well neighbors care for their properties. Oh. I’ve already decided that it would be very appropriate to start a beautification project in this small village, but I’m sure it might ruffle some feathers. I see many homes that need some sprucing up. There’s mildew on the exterior in some places. There are unruly leftovers from past gardens. I’ve spotted multiple vehicles that have never moved from their spot in the past six months I’ve lived here. And I’ve read that this village has a problem with feral cats, none of which I’ve seen.

Oh sure. I saw the American flag waving in the cool breeze, but I also spotted a couple of leftover political signs that should have been removed after the fall election. I noticed some boarded up windows in multiple houses, and I wonder what has happened to cause them to be vacant. Even a local church boasts the same look. In one home, the blinds have been drawn so no one can even get a glimpse of any movement in the house. I hear dogs barking in other houses as I walk past, but I see no one.

I passed a couple walking their dogs a few days ago, but they wouldn’t even look in my direction. I know they had to see me walking their way, but they gave not a hint of friendliness. Perhaps not everyone in this town is friendly. Or. Perhaps they’re just cautious about anyone unfamiliar walking their streets. It’s also the time of year that the golf carts start circling the country de sac where I live. Apparently, it will be an interesting first spring in this new home of mine.

As I move through the town, I’m pleasantly surprised to discover the brick sidewalks that line many streets. Some of the residents have kept these vintage sidewalks in mint condition, while others have allowed grass to cover them. If you didn’t know the bricks were in place in some areas, you would never even suspect what is below the surface. If only all the homeowners along those streets would uncover the bricks and let them shine. They’re a throwback to the days of old when this town was once a thriving place. I’m sure some homeowners aren’t interested in maintaining these unique reminders of the past, so they have allowed the bricks to be hidden. It’s a reminder that perhaps this small village is dying for a reason.

I have no idea of the history of this place. I wonder if the very small library holds information of the town’s humble beginnings. I see the empty and unused storefronts that once housed long ago closed businesses. I can just imagine the horses and buggies parked out front, but not many people walk this part of town any longer. Oh sure. There is a bank. And a post office. There’s a town hall and a seldom used funeral home. I’ve visited the antique shop that’s open two days a week. Oh. And there’s a bar that’s open each evening. I’ve also driven past the cemetery on the edge of town. And let’s not forget the corporate grain elevator that sends trains down the tracks at all hours of the night. Across the interstate, I can see two ugly solar farms. That’s someone’s idea of progress. But others have a differing opinion on the topic of those windmills. I see signs posted on the side of a barn and along the roadside sharing their thoughts on that sore subject.

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord ’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Psalms 27:13

I know of several homes in foreclosure in this town. Mine was one of those at this time last year. Fortunately, it’s been saved and we’re now called the proud owners. The house next door is in the same predicament. I think I spied a final walk through of the house one day this week. We’ll see what the future holds over there. It would be nice to have another set of good neighbors. So far, I’ve only met a handful of neighbors, and others wave as they drive past.

When we moved here six months ago, we had no idea what was in store for us. Aside from all the needed repairs to the house, living here has been a nice change of pace. Slowing down and settling in to a new home, village and church feels good. It still feels like we made the right decision to pack up and move two states over. At this point, I wouldn’t change a thing.

I know change can be hard, but at times it’s necessary and welcoming. At other times, change comes and it’s out of our control. We just have to roll with the punches. So far, this change hasn’t felt like a gut punch, but there have been some unpleasant finds with this home that we’ve had to weather. But life is good. And I foresee many more good days ahead.

Who knows. Trouble can come tomorrow, and we must know it’s always around the corner. But we shoulder through each day, because it’s the only one we’ve got. We’ll face tomorrow’s troubles tomorrow. Today has enough of it’s own. And even whether the sun is shining or not, God is always good.

Give thanks to the Lord , for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalms 107:1

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Corinthians 9:8

A Season for Everything

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It was the springtime. We were house hunting. We knew our budget, the type of house and location we were looking for. We walked into the house one Sunday afternoon. It was outdated. The house had a tired kitchen, ugly wallpaper, faded carpet, and outdated bathrooms. In fact, the entire house reeked of the 80’s.

But we fell in love with the house. The location was private and beautiful. The neighborhood was quiet and small. We made an offer. A lowball offer. After all, we would have to update the entire house unless we wanted the vintage look. We didn’t.

The offer was rejected. Our realtor suggested we wait three weeks. If no offer was received by then, the owner would reduce the price. Low and behold, that is what happened. We made another offer. They countered. Finally, we agreed upon a price. The house was ours.

The previous owner must have loved bearded irises. The south side of the house was planted with multiple colors of the flower. The iris is a flower I’ve never been fond of. I knew she had to love irises, because she had a huge bouquet of them sitting on the dining room table when we toured the house. It was iris season. I’m sure she was very proud of her iris bed. What she didn’t know was that I had plans to get rid of every last iris.

I imagine the former owner had most likely spent many hours in her iris bed. Planting. Weeding. Pruning. Deadheading. Cutting the fresh blooms to enjoy indoors.

But once she sold the house, all bets were off for that iris bed. I had plans, and they didn’t include irises. What she didn’t know was that I loved peonies, roses and zinnias. Instead of having all purple flowers, I wanted to see some pinks and reds and oranges. Even yellow.

I waited a couple of years before I decided it was time to make some changes. The flower bed was bigger than I realized, so I only managed to dig up one third of the bulbs the first fall. The next year, I removed another third of the bulbs. Finally, this year I’ve dug out the remaining third of the flowerbed.

Now I can begin the real work of making the flowerbed mine.

We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now. Ecclesiastes 1:11

It’s easy to be offended when someone comes along and makes changes to what you once held dear. Times change. Interests are updated. People grow.  What was once new is now old, and what was old is now new again.  

Change can be liberating or exhausting.  Depending on what side of the equation you’re on, someone else’s decision to change may just be the motivation to get you out of your comfort zone.  It may be the nudge to actually move on when moving on wasn’t on your mind.

Letting go of old and beloved flowers or habits or traditions or jobs can take your breath away, or it can bring new life. It all depends on the attitude of
adjustment.  It doesn’t have to be offensive.

I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned. And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work under the sun. How meaningless!  So I gave up in despair, questioning the value of all my hard work in this world.  Some people work wisely with knowledge and skill, then must leave the fruit of their efforts to someone who hasn’t worked for it. This, too, is meaningless, a great tragedy.  Ecclesiastes 2:18-21 

The flowerbed that once held colorful bearded irises will produce something different in the spring.  White peonies.  Pink roses.  Orange Chinese lanterns.  The possibilities are endless.  Each season, the flowerbed that only held irises will now shine with new colors and blooms.  It will have a new look.  A future owner will never know irises once grew in the space.  But then again, they may remove all my hard work and start a fresh new space.  It is expected.  It is accepted.  There are times when change needs to occur in order for stagnation to be replaced by fresh newness.

There is a time and a season for everything.  Adjusting to change is hard, especially when it isn’t an expected or desired change.  Newness can bring new life and new opportunities that one would never have experienced if the change hadn’t occurred.  

It isn’t easy to embrace change, but moving on to new pastures can be refreshing and invigorating.  Otherwise, change can cause an inner death and allow a root of bitterness to grow.  Accept change.  Allow the newness of discomfort to challenge and renew your spirit.  New life blooms ahead in the new season.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 

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We Can Change

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Change is good.  That’s what they say.  Whoever they are.

We change our diets.  If we have to.  We change jobs.  Some people change spouses.  We can even change our gender.  On the outside, at least.

We change to try to please others.  To get in their good graces.  To get on their good side.

We change the color of our hair.  We change our weight.  We change our zip code.  We change.

I remember a couple of changes I made.  Not big changes.  Petty ones, really.  I remember when grocery stores switched from paper bags to plastic.  I resisted.  I didn’t want plastic bags.  The funny thing is.  I got used to them.  Now I’m told that plastic is environmentally unfriendly.  Stores are returning to paper.  I find myself resisting again.  I’ve changed.

When paper towels became available in full and half sizes, I resisted.  I wanted the full size.  Now I only buy the ones with an option.   Full or half size.  I sometimes feel that I’m being wasteful if I use a full paper towel when I only need a half size.   I’ve changed.

I used to drink pop.  Now I don’t.  I used to eat sugar.  Now I don’t.  I used to take naps.  Now I don’t.  I’ve changed.

So we can change.  We just don’t want to.  It isn’t easy.  It isn’t fun.  It upsets our routines.  We’re set in our ways.  But we can change.  We just have to want to.  We have to work on changing.

What changes do we make just to make our life easier?  What bad habits do we stop doing?  What bad words do we stop saying?  What bad attitudes do we correct?  What gossip do we stop spreading?

What changes do we willingly make?  What is the good we intentionally start doing?

There are some changes that I resist.  No matter what.  I just don’t want to change.  It just seems too hard to change a bad attitude.  That would take work.  And will power.  It’s hard to love the unlovable.  Those who treat us bad or bully us or reject us.  But we can love them.  Love is a choice.

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.  Ezekiel 36:26

If I listed all the changes I’ve made in my life, would I even be able to list one character flaw that I’ve worked to change?  Do I expect God to forgive me and then me not be willing to change?

Isn’t maturity a sign of change?  Isn’t change a sign of maturity?

Look at Paul.  I mean Saul.  Saul changed.  God called out to him.  And Saul changed his life.  He changed his behavior.  He changed his motives.  He went from hunting Christians to being a leader of Christians.  He changed his name.  Paul changed.

The soul that’s in tune with God.  That truly loves God will change.  Will want to change the old for the new.  Old attitudes for new.  Old beliefs for new.  Old ways for new.  Perhaps old friends for new.  It’s possible.  It can happen.  Our hearts can change.  Our hearts must change.