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Socrates quote

Navigating Change

Oct 4, 2016

Seasons change. Now we enter the beauty of October with its vibrant changing leaves—vivid reds, oranges, luscious gold, even brown and burgundy. In Minnesota we get to experience the four seasons—each season with its own beauty.

Weather changes. The crisp cool fall mornings feel so invigorating, perhaps a welcome change from the humid summer.

Everything around me changes—the culture, the leaders, music and technology. Also, new cell phones, new iPads and new styles.

And life changes, sometimes so gradually, then sometimes so quickly. Keep walking or one’s walking ability diminishes. Then, our relationships change and we have to say “good-bye” to people in our lives. Thankfully, we gain some new friends, new residents to befriend, and maybe even a new little great-grandbaby to greet!

Some people welcome change more than others, and some handle change better than others. My friend used to rearrange her furniture nearly every time she cleaned her living room. Not me; my space is limited and the furniture is too heavy!

Is change good? Some changes we welcome, some we dread. Change is good if it means I am improving! Winston Churchill said:

“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.”

What about changing negative attitudes for positive ones? What about changing our responses to troublesome people? We can still change and grow, and should be as long as we are living and breathing. God can help us navigate the changes.

“God, help me adjust gracefully to the changes around me and learn to keep growing.” Having a stable center to life gives one a stable foundation to weather the changes. Katherina A. von Schlegel, the German author of “Be Still, My Soul” wrote of the confidence we can experience having God as the stable foundation of our lives. Little is known of Katherina, but her classic hymn comforted an entire nation during World War II.

Be still my soul, the Lord is on my side,

Bear patiently the cross of grief and pain.

Leave to Thy God to order and provide

In every change He faithful will remain.

(Katherina A. von Schlegel, 1752)

Written by Chaplain Sherree Lane