Changes

This past week-end was some great riding. The weather was cooler, the air felt crisp and clean and refreshing. I love when the seasons start to give you a glimpse into changes ahead. Speaking of change I know one thing I need to change soon and that’s the chair at this computer-it’s a killer to sit in. Sorry, now you know why I call it “ramblings” .

Anyway, change can be good, it can be bad, it can be nerve racking and exciting all at the same time. I guess a lot of how it affects us depends on what the change means for our lives and the lives of those we love. As I rode on Saturday, I went on a road I have never been on before. It was a road my father in law mentioned to me on Friday and he referred to as his “old stomping grounds”. I of course had to check it out and I am so glad I did. The road itself was a little rough but that was OK because there was no construction, very little traffic, and the scenery was definitely worth it. I saw several areas where you could pull off and go fishing along the river which reminded me of times spent with my brother growing up. There were areas that were heavily wooded that reminded me of my daddy and hunting, and then there was this awesome stone wall. For some reason this stone wall immediately brought back many childhood memories. I used to go walking by myself in the woods around our home. I am the “baby” of the family and my brother was next in line but 5 years older so he of course didn’t ALWAYS want to be with his little sister. I have always enjoyed nature and being able to just go for a hike or enjoy time alone doing things outside. I guess maybe that is part of why riding has become such an amazing change for me. It’s one of those changes that was initially nerve racking but now is very exciting and yet calming.

This stone wall reminded me of taking puppies for a walk with me, sitting on the stone wall and playing with Play-doh . Why did I carry Play-doh into the woods you ask? Very good question and I have no idea why I did it but that stone wall reminded me of it. It’s highly possible I wasn’t supposed to take it outside where it would get dirty and that’ s why I took it into the woods where nobody would know. Isn’t it interesting the memories you recall for no real reason, or maybe it’s just me that does it. Its kind of like when I start a conversation with my poor husband mid thought and he has no idea what I am talking about. Yes he does put up with my crazies, bless him!

Anyway back to the ride. As I rode along this beautiful road, I was totally consumed by what I was experiencing at the time. As I reflect back now, I realize how blessed I was to have that time and how blessed I am every time I get to ride. This world is in the midst of some serious changes and it makes me sad to think of the world my grand daughter will grow up in versus the world I grew up in. I rarely listen to the news and refuse to discuss politics. All the media wants to focus on is the negative. It’s not wonder there is so much hate in the world. I am determined that I will focus on the positives as much as I possible can even in the worst of circumstances. There is always someone who is going through something worse than us. I have a friend whose granddaughter, who is only 1, was diagnosed today with an infection in her lung and had a biopsy. I know that God has this all figured out already, but it must be scary still for her family. I have another friend whose husband had an MRI today for a possible brain tumor and they await results on that. Again, God is already there. When I reached out to both of these families today and said, “God’s got this!”, both responded the exact same way, “Yes He does!”. I have another friend who is really struggling at work and is feeling overwhelmed, again I reached out and reminded her too, God is there, just breathe.

Then we have all of the flooding, loss of life, and devastation going on in Texas. God is there too. I have seen videos of good people helping others out in their time of need through this storm like they do through every disaster. My question is why do so many people only help during disasters. Don’t get me wrong I think it is AWESOME when people come together to help, I only wish it was a common occurrence in every day situations as well.

I met with a woman today, and in the midst of our conversation today and another day she shared a story abut a young fella that needed help. His mental abilities were very good, but he just needed a bit of help. She had tried to reach out to agencies to get him help, but to no avail. When she first told me about him, I had asked around to see if anyone knew anyone that would help someone in this type of situation. He was one of those cases that was falling through the cracks. He finally had enough and knew how he could get help. It took him telling someone that he would hurt himself if he didn’t get help, in order for him to be helped. He is now right where he needs to be and happy. This type of system needs to change. It’s sad he had to do that to get help, but I’m thankful it worked.

The point of all of this is; life is all about changes. Changes within us that can happen when we see other’s situations around us. Whenever I am having a difficult moment, or even a difficult day, I try to think of at least 1 positive that makes it seem not quite as bad. Do I always succeed? No, I do not, but I try. I refuse to give up. I may hand things over to God and not try to handle them myself any more, but that is not giving up in my book. That is being smart enough to know it is more than what I alone can handle.  If I don’t turn it over to God I may do more harm than good. I still keep listening to see if there is something He tells me I need to do or say, but once I give it to Him, I do not take it back. That too is a change for me and it was a hard one. I like to “fix” things for others and when I can’t I would give them to God, then when I thought He wasn’t handling it, I would take it back. Let me just tell you, it never worked out when I did that and His way is always better than mine. What a relief it’s been to get to that point. I know in my heart there is no situation that is beyond God and for that I am forever grateful. I have seen so many life changing situations and miracles that could only be God.

I am also thankful again to my husband for encouraging me, supporting me, and teaching me to ride which has led me to see and learn so many new things about God, my surroundings, and myself.

As the lyrics to a song say;

“God will make a way when there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me. He will be my guide, walking close beside my side. With love and strength for each new day. He will make a way for me.”

Ephesians 2:4-10 New King James Version 

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.