All Change Is Stressful

I came from possibly the most stable home environment that has ever existed. I lived in the same home until I went to college. My parents still live there. My schoolwork from 1st and 2nd grade is still in a box in the closet. A lot of my toys are still there and my children play with them. (Don't think I haven't checked e-bay for prices on these things. One day when mom and dad are out of town I am going to make some serious money!) We attended the same church my entire life. I never moved schools. My mom rearranged the living room furniture exactly 2 times a year. There were very few divorces in my family. The worst people I knew were my aunt and uncle who smoked. I was just sure they were going to hell.

When our older daughter was little, my husband and I had a discussion. I asked him what from his childhood did he want her to have? He said, "Nothing." His childhood wasn't perfect. He surely didn't always feel safe. There was a lot of pain in his family. Then he decided there were 2 things worth passing on: 1. his mom always took him to church and 2. she read her Bible every night before bed. And what did I want to pass on? Lots. But especially the stability. The knowledge that people and things would stay consistent. You could count on them.

Have you ever seen the list of the top most stressful things in a person's life? One year in our marriage we had a lot of them. Let's see: I was pregnant, my husband changed jobs, we sold our house and moved into a new one, my mother-in-law passed away. That was all in a span of 4-6 months, too! We made it through that time, but it was hard.

Change is hard. At least for someone who is used to a whole lot of stability. Now don't get me wrong, I like interruptions. Days that are all the same are terribly boring to me. As a teacher I always liked the "special days." Field trips, field day, assemblies, etc. Some teachers HATED that stuff--it interrupted their scheduled day. Not me. But big change? That is a different story.

As you may know, we are gearing up for some big changes around here. The name of this blog is so perfect, folks. I am excited about these changes. They are things I have prayed about. They are blessings from God.

But they are still hard.

My husband starts his new job tomorrow. He ate cake and packed up his desk today at the old job. In 2 days my daughter will be finished with 1st grade at her private school. We will begin homeschooling. I will be quitting my job soon to stay home. This is a lot to take all at once.

Like I said, I am thankful for these blessings. But they do bring stress with them.

13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. Luke 4:13-17

I think what is important is to remember that none of these things came about because of my excellent planning and foresight. All of these things were given to us as gifts. What is expected of me is to live each day as the Lord wants me to. He will take care of tomorrow. I think He's made that abundantly clear.