Monday, September 29, 2014

Transitions * autumn nesting delights

Change happens in an instant.

That split second stroke of a pen.  A clock's steady tick-tock.  The shrill, heart-stopping ring of the phone in the middle of the night.  A calendar page flipped.  That long-dreaded farewell. 

But transitions? 

These steady visitors to our lives, so deeply yearned for or completely unbidden, can linger on.  And on.
We've all experienced those seasons that range from mildly discombobulating all the way up to the numbing, excruciating grief of a severed relationship, a death, an abandoning.  A financial upheaval, a health crisis.  A betrayal, a relocation, a denial. 

And the endless waiting spaces in the midst of it all that can leave us a little worse for wear.

And then there are the transitions that breathe fresh life, that kick off brand-new routines, that open doors to long dreamed of opportunities that wait around the next corner.  These are the graces that let you know that the earth keeps spinning, that life goes on, that all will be well.

We're experiencing it here, now.  It starts when we awake.  Instead of throwing off the covers, we reach to pull them up closer and linger in the cozy overnight cocoon we've created for ourselves ... even as we vow to dig those gently fraying flannel sheets out of the back of the closet and get them tucked over and on to the awaiting mattress.

We start our days by donning the worn, warm robe and wonderfully fleecy socks instead of a tee-shirt and shorts.  And when we stumble to the kitchen, we grab a favorite mug and brew a 'hot cuppa,' rather than reach for a glass to fill with icy cold juice.

As we prepare for the day, we hear the engines of school buses passing by instead of the fan's endless whirring or the air conditioner's incessant hum.  We leave the oven door open after pulling the golden blueberry muffins out, just to get a bit more warm air in the room.  And when we head out the door, we grab a scarf or a sweatshirt, just in case.

Classes and groups, clubs and meetings start anew.  Schedules emerge and seem to take on a life of their own. The calendar fills ... to overflowing if we just can't say 'no, thanks.'  And we know, for sure, that the lazy days of summer have become a distant memory. 

We dig out the crockpot instead of lighting up the grill.  Candlelight emerges once again, starting at suppertime and soothing us with its warm glow and gentle fragrance as the coolness of evening descends and another day comes to a close.

And as we chat back and forth, catching up with the day's details, we realize that our nightcaps have morphed from ice cream sundaes into steaming mugs of hot cocoa with whipped cream on top ... as we hunker under an old quilt or two.  For it's way too early in the season to turn the heat on. 

I don't know about you, but I've been through lots of transitions that I never want to experience again.  But autumn's gentle rhythm, its compelling rhyme, its steadying cadence, its awaiting invitations?

I'm leaning right into it all. 

And I'm comforted by this truth.  That when {not if} the transitions come that leave me gasping for my next breath, I will be held and comforted and strengthened. 

Because He never changes

And that, my friend, is good enough for me.



//

Jump into the conversation during our autumn nesting delights house party and you'll put yourself in the the running for one of the two giveaways of Myquillyn Smith's book, THE NESTING PLACE!  Simply leave a comment below.  Or email it to me at Linda@CreeksideMinistries.com.

You'll love The Nester's little guide.  Discover the freedom in knowing that our homes don't have to be perfect or expensively decorated to be absolutely beautiful!   And that it's okay to grab a brush and bravely paint 'good wood.'  Put nails in the walls wherever your creative heart pleases.   And gleefully repurpose your furniture and cherished possessions as you drag them from one room to the next
   
Find out more about this super giveaway and catch up on every day of the series over here.

And sign up over there ... and you won't miss a post!

//

sharing autumn's joys with Kristen & Holley

28 comments:

  1. Your words encourage and comfort me today, Linda, as we're currently going through a transition and it's not always easy, especially when we can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you. And by the way, we turned out heat on a couple of weeks ago ;-) It's going to be a cold winter!

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    1. Brrrr! The nights have been brisk with the windows open a bit, even under 2 quilts. I'll be sure to tell my man that one of my dear readers has already turned her heat on! He always thought Thanksgiving was a good time to think about it! Fortunately, he's mellowed over the years ...

      I'll be praying for you as go through this transition time, Yuko. Count on it, ok? And may you find Jesus to be ever near and oh so dear ...

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  2. It is still reaches 90 here in TX everyday, but fall is coming. Wonderful post---and yes transition can be difficult--but they also can be a blessing.

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    1. I love Texas in the winter! But 90 degrees is sounding a bit toasty for me at this point!

      8-}

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  3. That's such a beautiful post. You made me realize that it's time to pack away the summer clothes and pull out the woolens!

    I am not much of a lover of 'changes' but I always find reasons to embrace them :) Thank God!

    -Tanya
    http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/

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    1. Finding reasons to embrace changes. I really like that, Tanya! There's always an invitation awaiting, isn't there ...

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  4. I love all of your Fall descriptions-willing for Fall to come back to Cincinnati at the moment. This week the temperatures are back in the 80s and it is not making me too happy! :( Thank you for the sights and sounds above-I will hold these close as I sweat my way through this Tuesday! Ha ha! Have a great one!

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    1. Cincinnati is my husband's hometown! But since both his parents have passed away in the last 2 years, I don't know that we'll ever go back.

      Sigh.

      But if we do, I will surely let you know, Mary ... I would love to spend some face to face time with you ...

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  5. This? Right here? I so needed to hear this. It feels like a transition for me lately and I am out of sorts. But the transition of summer to fall? Bring it! (Especially the mild ones we usually get here) :)

    I am so glad God never changes and He brings me newness and renewal every day!

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    1. I hear what you're saying, Sarah. Transitions can leave us feeling a bit out of kilter, unsteady on our feet. It's good to allow ourselves that grace, that space, and not be judgemental or harsh taskmasters, for this is true about where we are.

      And out of that space we can begin to make choices to figure out what we want to do about it. And hopefully, by His presence, we'll be wise as we do so.

      I'm hearin' ya ...

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  6. "That when {not if} the transitions come that leave me gasping for my next breath, I will be held and comforted and strengthened."
    I am learning this truth.

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    1. Yes, yes. There's nothing like a major health event or crisis to leave us reeling. Sometimes much longer than we expected.

      Peace, peace, He whispers still and quiet. And I'm continuing to lift you up in prayer. I hope it's been helpful for you to visit with us today, my friend ...

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  7. Such soul-soothing beautiful words to read this morning. I am in love with fall and everything that comes with it. This is one change I embrace with open arms. We haven't cooled down to the point of needing flannel sheets or fuzzy socks, but it's coming and I can't wait for the nights of sitting around open fires making s'mores and small talk ( Yep, I said it!).

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I love small talk!

      But only with people I'm already close with. Going there in a crowd of people I don't know? Makes me want to run in the other direction!

      I'll bring the marshmellows ... AND the chocolate, ok?

      ;-}

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  8. Ah, transitions can be an uncomfortable place, but I take hope that they're leading us to something else. Fall in Texas is more like a roller coaster - one week it's in the 90s and we're still feeling like summer, the next week the weather is cool and we're scrounging for jackets and long sleeves. Keeps us on our toes, but it's also that tension of change - almost there, but not quite... Better to just go along for the ride and make the most out of each stage.

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    1. Uncomfortable, that tension, the almost there, but not quite. I'd say you've captured the essence, Kathryn. But to choose to make the most out of each stage gives us some measure of control. I like that, too.

      But I'm still glad He's got the ultimate handle on things.

      Sigh.

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  9. What a beautiful space you have here Linda. Thank you for sowing your gift into hearts - weaving encouragement. You are light. And these words...mmmm: "when {not if} the transitions come that leave me gasping for my next breath, I will be held and comforted and strengthened. Because He never changes. And that, my friend, is good enough for me." I echo with you. Yes. He never changes - He is comforter and holds me in His strength. And yes. Mm that is good enough for me. More than enough for me. Amen.

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    1. This conversation, right here, this back and forth. This is the real beauty of this safe space, Cheree. Thank you for entering into it with us, for being a part of what's being discovered, shared, affirmed, questioned.

      So grateful you're here today ... please do return!

      ;-}

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  10. Leaning into the changes. Whew--that's sometimes a hard order for me, but it's definitely a good one and I appreciate your encouragement, Linda. Might as well accept things sooner rather than later and go with it.

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    1. Leaning in sure beats expending all that energy in fighting what's inevitable.

      And don't you love that we don't move forward on our own, but we lean in to the changes even as we lean on Jesus everlasting arms ...

      How good is God!

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  11. Hi Linda! I know that the summer has been a challenge, and now the season changes...everything changes with it. I know that this season is my favorite, but it will have challenges that I'm not looking forward to, believe me. But..everything changes, and our Lord watches with love, trying to fill me with grace if I'll just sit long enough to get it.

    I wish you quiet evenings of candlelight and prayer and hot tea and good books. God speaks in all of it.
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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    1. Yes, yes. God speaks in all these simplest of daily joys, doesn't He? We don't have to look far at all to find Him awaiting, to soak in His presence, to bask in His strength.

      Thank you for the blessings you've shared here, Ceil ...

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  12. Love your mantle, Linda! and your fall musings! Like you, I'm so thankful that our God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Have a blessed week, my friend!

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    1. The mantle did end up to be a very random blending of summer and fall ... I just kept on adding bits and pieces from walks by the sea and it just kept unfolding. One season surely does meld into the next.

      I love that you've dropped by, June. Blessings as you write for 31 Days!

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  13. Beautiful words to describe this time of year!! Comforting, consoling words. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Grateful I am that these few words have been a source of consolation, Darlene!

      May Jesus be praised!

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  14. Funny that this ties into Myquillin's book. That was a special gift to me during a time I really needed to find beauty in my home. Loved reading about your take on seasons and seeing how the God meets you in the transitions.

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    1. To find beauty right smack dab in the midst of where we are is a true gratitude-gift, isn't it, Alia. Oh for grace to count those blessings even in the midst of the worn or shabby ...

      Sabbath rest to you, to yours.

      And P.S.? I am loving your 31 Days of Open Letters. You, indeed are gifted with a pen ...

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Welcome to the table, friend!

This is where we gather and hang out. I'd love for you to pull up a chair and jump right into the conversation. Or simply say 'hello.'

l'll be dropping in to visit you sometime soon ...

Linda

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