tran·si·tion – (/trænˈzɪʃ
ən, -ˈsɪʃ-/) – movement, passage, or change from one position, state,stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change.
Transition is not an easy word. If we are honest, we like routine, stability and control. If I’m honest, I like it. A lot. Most people would say they are free-spirited, enjoy a challenge and like new things. However, experience suggests the contrary. If you watch people, we are very controlled, routine people who get frazzled if things don’t go the way we expect them to. Dealing with change doesn’t come naturally.
In the last few months, we’ve experienced quite a bit of change. First, as you’ve read on my blog, we are transitioning to a full-time, support-driven ministry. Secondly, we finalized the adoption of our 2nd child. Next, my wife went back to work 5-days-a-week. And then, in the past few weeks, our neighbors put their house on the market. You may ask, “What does that have to do with anything?”
My wife and I bought our home in 2005. This is our first home and we’ve had the same neighbors for over 6 years. With the exception of 2 neighbors, the 11 houses on our street have been occupied by the same families since we moved in. We’ve grown to love our street and our neighbors. They are very unique people and we watch out for each other. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve received a call or text message late in the evening, “Your garage door is up.” “Your dogs are out.” “Your fence fell down.” Likewise, I’ve been the one sending the text message or call about our neighbors and something going on at their house. It’s a mutual friendship of care and concern for one another. And I love it. We love our neighborhood and especially, our neighbors.
In the midst of all this personal transition, we were confronted with the fact that we’ll soon have a new set of neighbors. It reminded me of all the inevitable changes of life. Someone said, “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” It’s not the change that should challenge us. It’s how we deal with the change. Do you embrace it and move forward? Do you shut it out and continue to live as though nothing happened? Before too long, you’ll see that the world (with all its changes) has carried on and you’ve been left behind.
How do you deal with transition? Do you embrace it? Resist it? Change is inevitable and you must do something with it. My hope is you’ll embrace the changes around you. Let them be a catalyst for growth in your life. As you adjust to the change and transition around you, learn new things, meet new people, shift your paradigm. It may mean seeing things in a new light or being introduced to a new friend.
For now, we wait and see who our new neighbors will be. I’m hoping that we can welcome them onto a street we’ve come to know and love. In doing so, we hope they’ll come to love our neighbors as we do.
grace and peace,
sb
stanbritton.com 