Do I Say Goodbye or Hello?
There is a strange calmness in the outside air this afternoon - no breeze to compliment the radiant sunshine and warm temperatures - and with it comes a voice that whispers, "take me while you can get me" as September draws swiftly to a close. Allow me a moment of melancholy as I bid "Farewell" to the spectacular September weather Indiana has enjoyed this year, and say "Hello" to the impending weeks preceding our long winter months.
The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us explicitly "To everything there is a season." Today my heart appears to be at odds with itself as I view not only the changing of seasons climate-wise, but also the changing of seasons in our personal lives.
While I process the changes taking place outdoors - tractors in the fields stirring up whirlwinds of dust as farmers harvest the crops, all the while ripping away the blazing color - I am aware of a greater change about to occur right in our own home. It arrives Monday . . . the day my husband begins working only part time.
During the 32 years we've been married, Steve has worked 40-70 hours per week depending on the needs of his employer. He has been an amazing worker highly valued wherever he labored. During these many hours of employment, I was blessed to be at home caring for our children and managing the household. It was an agreement we made early on in our marriage.
Come Monday we say "Hello" to a new agreement, a different routine - or no routine at all. It is in the midst of this huge change that I find myself quite set in my ways, and the new agreement feels strangely like a "Goodbye." This change seems oddly reminiscent of a move we made in 1993 from Central Indiana to our current home in Northeast Indiana. We left behind so many wonderful memories of family and friends, our home on W. Fair Oaks Drive, our church, and the only community we had ever known. With that move, that change, came grief along with excitement for what lay ahead. Through it all we had faith that it would all work out . . . and it did.
Even as I write today, I know the change before us will work out as well. It will take time and several seasons, tiny steps and a few stumbles, laughter and tears as we adjust and grow through the challenge. I do believe when God closes a door, He opens a window. Anyone out there who would like to pray for us during this transition please do. Pray we'll keep our eyes open to what God has in store for us as we say once again, "Goodbye" and "Hello."
Labels: Semi-Retirement
3 Comments:
I believe we say both - looking backward is good - because it was a season all on its own. A good one. But, enter a new one - challenge - yes. However, change always means the victory of conquering something new. I much prefer conquering, then the option of that or alternative of that. I would want people to remember me for "I never give up" , "I go until I know". So say goodbye to a wonderful season, and Hello to another new journey of untried territory. Certainly you can pick bouquets along the way and spit out the weeds as well.
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With change comes sadness of saying good bye to the past, yet excietment and questions about the unknown with the future. The one thing I know for sure ~ God already has it planned out and with Him by your side, it will be just as it is supposed to be ~ I promise:)
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