Necessary Endings

“Do not call to mind the former things, or consider things of the past. Behold, I am going to do something new, now it will spring up; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” – Isaiah 43:18-19

Change. Change can be painful and difficult. Some of the most profound and heart wrenching things that have happened in my life came ushered in with a bang of change.

Six years old. When I was only six years old my family moved from New Jersey to California. My parents packed up the family car and headed out. Imagine this scene though… we had to say goodbye to family on both my mom’s and dad’s side. The cries and screams of our big Italian family left a scar on my heart. Before we began our new life in California we had to say goodbye to our family.

Third grade. I remember third grade well. I made a new friend. (We are still friends today in fact.) Not knowing anyone else on the first day of school we made a connection and stayed connected throughout the year. We were a team of two and did third grade together. At the close of third grade my mother sat me down and told me my now best friend would be at a different school the following year due to a new school zone boundary. My little heart could hardly comprehend the fourth grade without my friend.

Break ups. At seven my boyfriend broke up with me—three times. Yes, three times! I stupidly went back twice only to be crushed two additional times, because once wasn’t enough for me apparently.  Anyone who’s experienced a breakup knows how painful that can be, no matter what age. I couldn’t imagine life without this person and I didn’t think my heart would ever recover. But then… I met the love of my life and we are still going strong with three adult kids and now five grandkids.

There are few things that are certain in this life, but there is one thing for sure… change. You can count on change, it will happen, and it will happen usually when we least expect it. But make no mistake, whatever your situation is right now… it will change.

I’ve never liked change. How about you? I’ve feared change. Fought with change. Hoped for change. And endured hardship trying to stop change from coming.

And yet, it is change God uses to mold us into the masterpiece that only He sees. The masterpiece He will use to make a difference. The masterpiece He will take to great heights and through miracle pathways.

Pain and heartache are often the pathway God uses to usher us into our new beginnings and purposeful destinies.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10

“Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.” – John 15:4 

Are you in a time of transition, my friend? Cling to God, for this is most likely the pathway to God’s divine destiny.

For more from Lucille Williams check out her books The Impossible Kid: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child with Love and Grace, and for your marriage, From Me to We, and The Intimacy You Crave. And Turtle Finds His Talent for ages 2-6. We invite you to subscribe to LuSays today for weekly encouragement.