I’m not a fan of change. I rarely embrace it and quite honestly, I’m probably the first to complain about change when it happens. Nothing was broken, so why’re we fixin’ it?

Hubs always says, “Let’s make things better and more efficient.” He is constantly looking for ways to streamline processes. I do that too in my little sphere, like my kitchen or my family–better, faster, less expensive ways to feed a family of eight, or better ways to parent or homeschool. BUT, beyond that, I don’t really care for change.

Change is:

• Uncomfortable
• Requires effort on my part
• Means reevaluating and readjusting
• Time consuming
• Necessary

Change is good and it’s good for us. I’m constantly trying to get my kids to eat new, healthy foods and I often say, “Broccoli is good for you! Eat it!” I love broccoli because I know how it helps my body, especially Spicy Buttered Broccoli, but most of my kids don’t. I stress to them the importance of eating healthy and the benefits their little bodies will experience from it. I’m not above telling them, “All little boys who grow up to be big farmers like their daddy eat broccoli. It makes big strong farming boys!” 

And that is usually persuasive enough to make them eat their broccoli, because every little boy wants to be a farmer like his daddy, doesn’t he?

We have had some pretty big changes around here lately on the farm. I’m now a working, homeschooling mom. I honestly thought it would be easier. Structure is good and we have our routine down at home so switching from homeschooling at home to homeschooling in the office is just a change of scenery, right?

Wrong. Wowsa. There are people in and out of the office all day long. The phone rings constantly. Every time I’m interrupted, the boys sneak off to drive their Tonka trucks and tractors through the freshly plowed fields. So basically I spend all day chasing them down, washing their hands, sitting down to start our work again before the phone rings. Off they go again. 

BUT, hear me! Hear me! I’m not complaining!

I’m adjusting. I’ve always joked with Hubs that change takes four months of adjusting whether it’s a new baby or new whatever. In the middle of this adjustment time, I’m noting what works and what doesn’t. We make slight changes as we go.

I felt strongly convicted a couple weeks ago listening to a successful author speak about change. He said, “If you don’t like where you are, you won’t like where you’re going.”

Right then and there, I had to ask forgiveness from God. I don’t want to complain about where I’m at right now. I want to embrace the changes, knowing this is just part of His plan for us. I want to be aware enough to know He is smoothing my rough edges to do a great work for Him. I want to be content where I’m at now and where I’m going to be.

A couple of my favorite verses came to mind so I wrote them on an index card and posted them on my desk as a constant reminder of the goodness of change.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”        Joshua 1:9

I’m not worried about strength or courage because I know God is in complete control. I’m not even frightened of change, really. But dismayed? I’ve definitely been dismayed so I need this constant reminder of God’s words that we are commanded, just like Joshua, not to be dismayed.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Yep, this is just a season. I married a farmer so we know all about seasons. They come and go, the good times and the bad, but they’re never permanent and there’s always hope on the horizon. This change is just temporary so I’ll let go and let God mold me.

Already I’ve seen good things come from our latest changes. This is a stressful time for Hubs but I’ve been at the office at his side and the relief is visible on his face every time I look at him. He has my support and I’m with him every step of the way. Our kids are loving being near their dad all day long! We are all having to work even more closely as a team, utilizing each of our strengths and even practicing using our weaknesses to they can be stronger too. I’m enjoying the kids experiencing farm life. Seriously, what kid wouldn’t love jumping across a barn full of pallets of corn during their break time?

What changes do you struggle with? How do you remember God has our best interest at heart during seasons of change?