A Change of Scenery...

Sometimes a change of scenery gives us a change of perspective. Sometimes we need to shift our gaze or look around or simply go in another direction. Sometimes life comes at us so fast and things change so quickly that we find ourselves loosing momentum or spinning out of control. But most of the time a change requires a new perspective.


My baby girl has been very sick. She missed four days of school last week and was still struggling a little this weekend. We decided that since she had been fever free for over 24 hours that what she needed was a change of scenery. So we went to visit Danny's parents at the lake. We did not put a boat in or do any fun lake activities. We just gathered as a family around the table and huddled together in the den. We sat on the porch swing and took in the views. But that little change of scenery brought new perspective for us all. We removed ourselves from the everyday routine enough to catch our breath.

On Sunday, I prayed with a sweet friend who has found herself thrust into a new season of life. She sent two daughters off to college at the same time. Her oldest commuted from home last year and this year moved into a dorm at a large university. Her middle daughter decided to attend a college in Nashville, TN. They moved them out of their home and into their colleges within a week of each other. She has one more at home but she started public school for the first time this year as a sophomore. Life changed drastically; both physically and emotionally. My friend is trying to steady herself enough to let her emotions catch up with life.

As we were working in our yard yesterday, a missionary couple we know drove by our house. They stopped to talk and tell us they were looking for houses in the area. Within a week, they prayerfully have made a decision to not return to their home overseas right now. They have enrolled one daughter in college. One daughter in the local high school. One daughter is looking at where her career she had in another country can fit into a new life here. Life looks so very different to them in a blink of an eye.

I got to spend a little over 24 hours with my middle daughter this weekend. It was a quick but quality visit. Her life looks different this year at college. She is living in her sorority house with around 70 other girls. The houses in Athens are old and big and beautiful. She loves it. But things are different. She has a lot of responsibilities this year. And some hard classes this semester. She is having to adjust to keep up. She sees things a little differently with school and with her social life as she moves toward her goals in life. She is stronger and more sure of who she is this year. In our short time together this weekend, we could see and feel the difference. The maturity. The focus. The humor that comes with learning to let things go and let God lead.

Life changed quickly. We struggle to keep up sometimes. But none of it catches God off guard. He sees it all. He knows it all. He is our change of scenery. So if you find yourself in a season of change, look up! His scenery is full of Peace and blessing. Allow Him to change your perspective. Ask Him what He wants you to know about this season. Be still long enough to listen for the answer. And in all of it give thanks. When you can't see around the corner, be assured that He can. Hold on tight. If you allow Him to show you, it won't be long before you will see the blessings that this new season will bring.

There's an opportune time to do things, 

a right time for everything on the earth... 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 the message