Change? A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post about change, The New Has Come! Change as humans is not something we will ever escape.
Every day we are a day older. We change seasons in life. Kids to Adults. Students to graduates. Single to married. Childless to a Family. It is something to embrace or fight.
Change as a believer is inevitable. According to Ezekiel God gives us a new heart. One not just made of stone as stated in Ezekiel but one made of flesh. I praise the Lord for it. It is an amazing victory! Nothing shy of a miracle.
What about those days it doesn’t feel like a victory? What about when it feels like a battle? What about when I don’t feel like an overcomer but feel overcome?
Before you go, I want to give you some verses to help you when you feel like you are in the trenches of life and need the hope of a new tomorrow.
My trench may not be the same as yours, but I hope these verses will be something you, too, can hold on to.
Ever since I wrote that piece, I have been to struggling with this inevitable change that happens at this time of year. It is the realization that my children are another year older.
I don’t know about you, but I do not like the end of the school year. Not because it means my kids will be home with me all summer (I LOVE that part), but because they are another grade older.
My babies seem to be growing up before my eyes and I feel if I blink too long, it will all be gone. Let me hear from you mamas out there. How do you or did you feel about another school year passed? How do you handle changes or seasons of your child’s life?
The end of the school year. I don’t think it affects my husband in the same way, or at least it doesn’t seem to. Me, I am a wreck. I feel completely overwhelmed and saddened. What about you daddies out there? How do you feel after the end of the year? How do you handle the changing seasons of your children’s lives?
Here are the verses I promised. If you are struggling like me, put them on a post-it. Hang them on the door frames of your hearts and repeat God’s Word for comfort and guidance.
You don’t have to do this alone. God is always there for you and His Word can provide the steps to peace and calm hearts.
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)
I know you all are treasuring these moments!
However, Mary continued to treasure all these things in her heart and to ponder them. Luke 2:19 (ISV)
A treasured gift!
Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. Psalm 127:3 (NLT)
God is our constant! When change seems to be too much, we can rely on Him as our constant no matter what we are feeling.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 (ESV)
What are your favorite verses when you feel anxious about the end or beginning of a new stage in your life? What are the verses you hold onto as the anchor of your heavy heart? Please share any tips, tricks, or verses to encourage us through this stage or season of life to the next.
I would also like to announce the winner of the ESV Family Devotional Bible is Lisa E.
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Hi Jaime, thank you for your labor of love in hosting this party each week. It's quite a pleasure to link up with you, meet new friends, and hear your heart as you share from God's word. Thank you for the weekly encouragement.
Jaime, I always loved when they went back to school! Thanks for the linkup!
I use to feel the exact same way when school ended. A bittersweet feeling. And like you, I loved having my kiddos home for the summer.
Wow, am I feeling what you're written here, Jaime! Yesterday, I was volunteering at my HS junior's school and heard her band practicing "Pomp and Circumstance" for graduation. I practically had a meltdown just listening to it, thinking that next year (!), that will be for her. Oh my. And my tween will be in 8th grade, so I will have two "graduates," so to speak. I love Daniel 2's reference to God as the Changer of times and seasons. And always, I come back to this: if I had lost a child before birth or in infancy or toddlerhood, what would I give to watch them someday graduate? Anything. I would give anything. And so I choose to be grateful that I have, God-willing, been given this gift. Thank you for hosting! 🙂
Thank you for hosting!
The good thing about change is that on the most part it happens gradually, each year. But, that probably doesn't bring much comfort! Instead, I can say when you get there and they graduate high school – and my three children are so close in age it happened very quickly (last year my twin boys graduated) – although I dreaded it, it's actually been okay. No, better than that. It's been good. They are great kids, making sensible decisions and I'm so grateful for that. We miss seeing each other every day. I know they miss me as much as I miss them. So, when we are together we have a fantastic time. It will be okay. God takes care of our heartaches.
I hear ya, I'm a sentimental mama too. And, please…don't blink. My middle son is graduating from high school next weekend. My baby is entering high school next year. My oldest graduated from college a couple of weeks ago. I blinked. The old ladies always said "Enjoy them, they grow up fast." When did I turn into an old lady? 🙂 Sweet post, today, thank you for sharing. And, thank you for hosting. ((grace upon grace))
Jaime, change can be hard, but it can also be exciting! I'm not one who is always excited about it, but I try to remember to focus on what it says in Phil. 4.8 and keep my eyes on Him.
Time with your kids does go all too quickly. The best advice I could give as a great-grandmother is embrace every minute of the time you have!
Thanks for hosting and have a great summer!
So many of my friends are right where you are, Jaime–feeling a bit sad about how their children are growing up so fast. I remember feeling that same way when my boys were in school. In fact, I really struggled with my oldest and his milestones as well as my youngest, since he would be my last child to launch. Now I'm celebrating my oldest's graduation with his masters degree! Woah! Where did the time go on that one! Thanks for sharing your tender mama heart with all of us. We can relate!
I know this feeling all too well, Jaime! I look at the pictures at the beginning of our homeschool year, and can't believe how much my sons have grown in just a short amount of time. Thanks for sharing these encouraging verses, and I am sending hugs your way! Thanks for hosting and hope you have an amazing week 🙂
Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday, Jaime! Hope you have a wonderful weekend 🙂
Amazing read and thanks for hosting!
Seeing the inevitable growing older of our children, and in my case grandchildren now, is very hard. This life really is fleeting. I have to constantly remind myself that what counts, the people in our lives, are eternal.
You really grabbed me with that Ezekiel verse near the beginning of your post. It's nothing less than a God-thing that I've seen that verse popping up everywhere over the last few months as I work through some tough heart issues. If we hand it over and trust Him, he truly will chisel away that stone and provide us with a softer, more compassionate heart. And I had no idea you had a link-up! That's a bonus! 😉
I teach inside Juvy. It is interesting place. The whole staff has created an atmosphere where the kids really want to learn. We have had kids who have been released, tell people that they miss our school. It is pretty cool.
I look at my kids (they are both in college) and remember that not too long ago they were young. They will be (and their off-spring) the only evidence that I was on this Earth at sometime and that is a powerful thing to me.
Treasure was the word on my heart this week too, friend. Bless you!
Thank you for your words and insights into His Word!
When my oldest began 8th grade I began homeschooling, so I guess their growing each year seemed more gradual.When I start to feel anxious I try to remember that God is always with me and Phil. 4:13 always comes to mind. Blessings to you! I'm your neighbor at #ThoughtProvokingTuesday.
Wonderful truths to hold onto, Jaime. Thank you. Have a blessed weekend!
i love that you mentioned Isaiah 43:2. That verse has been so powerful in my life as I learn to trust God through all the changes in this season of being a newlywed
thanks for your encouraging words, jamie! always ups and downs w/ life so grateful for God's promises for rest and strength and companioning ! xx
Thank you Jaime for hosting. God bless.
Sorry, I did not interact with every comment this week. You all had me in tears. I am beyond myself with the love and support that I receive from each of you. Your comments and encouragement as parents, caregivers, and friends. It is so appreciated! You are so appreciated! It is truly wonderful to be Sitting Among Friends each and every week here. Love and Blessings to you all. Jaime
Jaime,
You wrote about so much hope here! It IS tough watching our kiddos grow. I have always focused on the thanksgiving that they are moving into the next phase of life with health and appropriate development and not really ever been emotional. UNTIL this last year? I get all choked up all the time. Both my boys are taller than me now and I just want to grab them and snuggle in the rocking chair as we used to! I could cry right now thinking about it! So, I get it, friend!
I'm so thankful to have your beautiful hope-filled words as a part of Moments of Hope each week!
Much love,
Lori