Inside: I’m still healing and learning, but I’ve realized some things in the last few months that have encouraged my heart or altered my perspective. Perhaps they will do the same for you. ~

My nest is empty again, and it feels a bit different this time.

When my daughter Molly came home from college in early May, it seemed like I was spending most of my time on the couch or at physical therapy appointments. I’ve come a long way since then, and I’m so thankful.

Change is still change, though, and adding tasks and responsibilities back into my life that were fixtures before my accident requires emotional and physical energy. So does navigating good and normal life transitions, like daughters returning to school.

I’ve come to expect this, and that helps me move forward.

I’ve made a few other observations along the way that have either encouraged my heart or altered my perspective. Perhaps they’ll do the same for you, whether you’re dealing with a newly emptied nest, a lack of answers, a painful diagnosis, relational upheaval or some other challenge you may not have been anticipating.

For Example …

• We don’t have to know why something difficult happened or what the purpose is. But we can rest in knowing that God knows.

• Processing and healing take time. Sometimes, it’s OK to just be. To just make spaghetti sauce or water houseplants or take a shower.

• When we notice improvements, it helps to acknowledge them and thank God for them. One weird consequence of my accident was that my right eye stopped producing emotional tears. (I didn’t know these were a thing either.) A few days ago, however, I was listening to a new song that evoked some emotion in me. This time, a tear welled in my right eye and dripped all the way down my cheek. It wasn’t a torrent, but it was evidence of healing.

• What happens to us doesn’t just affect us. I don’t remember the most traumatic parts of what happened to me, but my loved ones do. I wish they didn’t have to deal with these memories; it makes me sad to even think about it. But God was with them through it all, just as He was with me. Somehow, He will use the experience in their lives, just as He will in mine. And I find comfort in that.

Finally …

I’ve also found a great deal of comfort in the Book of Psalms this summer, so I’ll close with a few passages that have been especially encouraging to me.

“If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, ‘My foot slips,’ your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” ~ Psalm 94:17-19

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” ~ Psalm 73:26

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” ~ Psalm 34:4

• • •

What helps you navigate change, either expected or unexpected? Please share in the comments.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

Photo by Luke Brugger on Unsplash.