While driving through Yellowstone National Park with some of our children recently, I noticed a sign that read, “Change is the only constant.” It was in reference to the changes in nature that are continually occurring, but I thought how applicable to life, to relationships, circumstances, etc.
The last time our family had driven through Yellowstone we had strollers, diaper bags and a handful of young rambunctious children. This time though, we had only a few of these children on this trip and they had all grown to adult size.
The squabbling and vying for attention had given way to actual conversations. There were still some disagreements and plenty of give and take but more often than not, laughter. (“I don’t like everyone leaning on me because I can’t move.” “Can’t I lean on someone?” “That’s my water.” “When you’re sitting up it’s uncomfortable.” “Will you just hand me a muffin?!”)
The relationships between the siblings and the relationships between children and parents have changed and evolved over the years and is still evolving.
Often times we may think of change as something sad, or undesirable, yet just as in nature, change leads to growth and expansion, if we allow it.
Growth may be painful, like when so much of Yellowstone caught fire and burned in the 1980’s yet now has grown back healthy, vibrant and beautiful because of those very fires that left so much destruction in its wake. So also our relationships that seem to go through rocky and uncertain periods can evolve into something beautiful and fulfilling when given the love and time and patience.
Change will always be with us. So rather than look on it as something to dread, let’s recognize the growth and good that can only happen because of that very process of change Let’s choose to appreciate and welcome that forward momentum of life, because that’s exactly what it is! And when deciding how to feel about the change occurring in your life right now, how about choosing to see where it might be moving you forward into something even more wonderful then where you’ve been!
I’d love to hear about the changes you’ve been through that you’ve been able to recognize the blessing. Click here to contact me or comment below.
Love,
