Change is often unexpected and unwanted, and comes when we least expect it. Which I think we’ve all learned through the pandemic. None of us could have anticipated it or the changes it’s brought to our lives and our world.
Change can bring good
All things are difficult before they are easy.
Thomas Fuller
As some of you know, since the lockdowns here in Italy, my husband has been out of work. I wrote about how he lost his job in my post Hope for Shattered Dreams.
Good from unwanted change
And while the pandemic and lockdown initially seemed only negative, good has come even out of them. Just as it always does when we walk with God, who knows how to take our shattered dreams and make something better from them.
With help from unexpected sources we were not only able to replace our old car, but also my old computer which was also giving me problems. And this nice, new to us SEAT Ibiza, in great shape, is one of the nicest car we’ve ever had while on the mission field!
Another good thing has been having Hubby home with me. Wonderful for me, at least, but not so great for blogging. That’s why, as you may have noticed, I’ve been blogging mostly about Italy lately because it’s the easiest and least time-consuming topic for me.
And the new computer has a completely different operating system. So that was a learning curve.
In case you’re wondering, I’ve switched to a Google Chromebook, which runs on Google’s Chrome OS operating system. And according to some, is the perfect tool for bloggers.
New opportunities!
But perhaps the biggest change has come through new ministry opportunities.
Working with the food bank at our church, collecting food and delivering it to the 20 needy families we serve during this time of crisis.
We would never have chosen the pandemic, the lockdown, or some of the changes it’s brought. But as the quote above says, we can’t be afraid of change. Because even when it’s unwanted, it can bring good.
Especially when we put our lives in God’s hands, for he is good and loving. And if He takes something from our hands, it’s often because He has something better to put in them.
God is always doing something new. He calls to release the past, look ahead, and grab hold of the future. We cannot grab hold of all the new things He has planned by grasping what is past.
Let go, look ahead, and embrace what God is preparing for you. Change, when our lives are in God’s hands, is nothing to fear!
Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness
Jeremiah 29:11
and streams in the desert.
📷 Image credits: dandelions; car is mine.
Back in 2001 we were provided a new car at a difficult time of transition and change. That over-the-top-generous gift spoke loudly of God’s loving care. He is indeed our El Roi–the God Who Sees! It delights me, Sheila, that we have in common yet another experience, and I’m praising God here for the way He’s provided for you!
Thank you, Nancy! God really does always provide, and often in unexpected ways! He is always so faithful!
Your new car is pretty! God bless you as continue to serve Him on the mission field! He is giving you new and exciting opportunities!
Thank you so much; Deborah! And yes, we think it’s pretty too. God is so good, and we are excited about the new opportunities, praying that we will be able to serve well.
Change is often God’s way of telling us He has a better plan, and He will move us if we refuse to move! I’m really happy that your new-to-you car and computer are such gifts. But then that’s our Lord–the Great Giver of Good Gifts.
Thanks Dayle! And yes, you are so right. God is indeed the great giver, always going far beyond what we can even imagine!