When I learned I would have a baby at 40, I panicked. It wasn’t a pretty panic, unless you call a certifiably ugly cry lasting for weeks beautiful. I hadn’t considered adding more tiny humans to the already-chaotic circus I called family—especially not at my age. I loved being a mom to my three sons. I just hadn’t planned on rounding the tally to an even number. Change often catches us off guard, doesn’t it?
Unless you’re talking about seasons, a new wardrobe, or an improvement in my 7-year-old’s reading ability, I’ve never been a fan of change. I used to be the girl in the corner with a white-knuckled grip on the familiar, paralyzed when faced with uncertainty. Baby number four thrust me face-to-face with the understanding that nothing is as constant as the promise of change—a lesson learned 40 years late but right on time.
I often sit across the table from younger women who are worn out, frazzled, and exhausted by motherhood. We drink coffee and talk about the challenges of keeping our heads above water when we’re drowning in real life. “Does it get better?” I’m repeatedly asked. My response is now predictable: “It gets different. It won’t always be this way.”
Whether you find that encouraging or frightening, it’s nonetheless true. Change is inevitable. Your kids will grow up, friendships will evolve, and your perspective on motherhood will shift. Life will move from bumpy to exciting, from difficult to wonderful, and back again. The Bible teaches about seasons of change in Ecclesiastes 3 and reminds us that no one is exempt. As much as we dread the future or fight to hold on to the present, time will not be manipulated. Today’s pain may result in tomorrow’s purpose, and today’s laughter could be tomorrow’s lament. All of it is beneficial in moving us closer to the heart of God if we have the right perspective.
How do we navigate and survive the uncertainty of change? We do it by living with an open hand, not holding on to anything too tightly. We enjoy the good moments, prepare our hearts for the more difficult times, and view change as an opportunity for God to build our faith. He is the only constant. When your world falls apart, He is faithful. If life is beautifully peaceful, He is faithful. In uncertainty, happiness, heartache, or joy, He is continually faithful. He works all change for our good, even when we don’t see it at the time.
I’m thankful for the twisty bumps in life because it gives me an opportunity to see God at work. When I look into the face of that surprise baby who now is almost eight, I’m reminded the unexpected change in my family proved to be one of God’s greatest blessings to me. God’s ways are higher than my ways, and His thoughts higher than mine—especially when seasons change. He never changes. In fact, He oversees every transition in my life and uses it for His glory. It’s true for you, because it’s true for me.
This fall when you watch the leaves take on a new color and make their way to the ground, pause to remember how this temporal season depicts our life. An eternal perspective says it’s neither good nor bad, just different. Just keep your eyes on the One who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.—Ecclesiastes 3:1
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.—Hebrews 13:8
About Kim Heinecke
Kim Heinecke wants to live in a world where children listen to the advice of their mothers without question. As a former single mom she’s been encouraging women using her life experiences in parenting, growing in the Word of God and everything in between. When she’s not negotiating with a teenager or wrestling a pre-schooler, you can find her camping in the family RV or pretending to understand sports with her husband and four sons. Read more from Kim at www.TheMomExperiment.com.