Transitions in Life

Transitions in life are inevitable, but can be very difficult.  Transitions come from different life stages, such as going from elementary school to junior high school or middle school; high school to college ; single to married and so on.  As we look at our lives we will see many different transitions depending on our ages.  Recently, Lisa and I have gone through several transitions seemingly at one time.  I had a major job transition that has led to a transition in our finances as well as our children are transitioning in their lives.  Danielle is going to seminary in the fall and Caleb is in a serious relationship with a young lady.  Each one of these situations can be stressful on a marriage as well as an individual.  How do we handle such things?  How do we maintain a sense of peace and purpose in our lives during these kinds of times?  If you know, please let me in on the secret!  Let me share with you some of my thoughts through these processes that I/we are going through.

1. God is still God. I know that you expected me to say that.  Jeremiah says in Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV)
   ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
   ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.
   ¹³ You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

God is not caught by surprise by any of the events in our lives.  He encourages us to seek Him daily with all of our hearts.  Transitions can be unsettling, but with the confidence that God has plans, even through transitions, we can have peace and assurance.

2. Your spouse is still your covenant partner in the transitions. Many times we have a difficult time understanding the idea of covenant and partnership within the marriage.  I realize that God has placed the man has the head of the relationship, but that does not make him the dictator.  Each spouse has a God-given roll to play as equals in the relationship; therefore, as couples we should commit ourselves to one another even more in the difficult times of transition.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV)

⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

¹¹ Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?

¹² And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

When you maintain your relationship with God and your spouse, you are strengthened to a point that it is difficult to knock you off track.

How do you maintain these two relationships?

• Spend time with God every day. You do not have to have some marathon Bible study or prayer time.  You have to spend time on your relationship with God.  That would include reading His Word, praying and worshipping Him.  I was talking to a close friend of mine several years ago who was going through some serious problems and he told me that he continued his time alone with God even though he couldn’t hear Him at the time because it was the “right” thing to do.  Spending time with God no matter what is going on in your life is the “right” thing to do.
• Spend time with your spouse. Your spouse should be the second most important person in your life; therefore, you should spend time with them every day.  Drs. Les & Lesley Parrot wrote a book entitled Love List.  In this book they give several things to do over the course of the year.  The daily list of things to do as couples consists of:  talk to each other, laugh with each other, and touch each other.  I think we as couples forget how to do these things in the difficult times.  I know that there are days that I do not spend a lot of time laughing.  I also know that I am not extremely affectionate, so I do not touch, hug or hold Lisa enough I am sure.

Today’s blog might be more of a reminder to me to practice what I am “preaching.”  It is always easier to say than it is to do.  I would ask that you pray for me as I have been praying for everyone who reads my blog.