CHANGES!

I once had a bishop--the ecclesiastical leader of my church congregation--tell me that change is good.

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We were preparing to move to the city I now live in, and the thought of leaving my beloved neighbors and friends, the community I had lived in for so many years, was devastating to my heart. I was riddled with anxiety and sadness.

And so I mentioned this to my sweet bishop, a man whom I had developed a kinship with over the years I worked with him in church service.

I said, "This change might be a bad idea...and I don't think I can do this."

He said, "I think change is a good thing! Change forces us out of our comfort zones. Sometimes we become too content there--where it is easy and familiar--and our growth becomes stagnant. Change fosters growth, and growth makes us better, stronger, wiser. I think this change is a very good idea. And yes, you can do this."

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I have often thought of his beautiful and insightful words over the years. The last two years specifically have been like a cup filled to the brim with change. New neighbors, new community, new school, new congregation, new city.  So much new; lots of learning.

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My bishop's words have flooded my mind and washed over my heart recently, as I have had to make a decision that would invoke even more change for me.

Not too long ago, my dear friend, Elsha, approached me with a terrifying and incredible opportunity. She is the director of a private school in our area. "I have the perfect class for you to teach," she said. "Tenth grade. An English Lit and History course. Only six students. Do you want the job?"

Teenagers are terrible! I hate teenagers! I can't do this! I don't know how to teach! What if those kids are mean to me? What if their PARENTS are mean to me? Oh my gosh, they are going to eat me alive! This is going to be too stressful, too much work, too hard. Why would I do this to myself?! The faculty will think I'm nuts! I'd be terrible at this. What if I fail? Oh my gosh, I'm going to fail! Surely, I can't do this. I can't! But I want to... I want to...

 C. JoyBell C. once wrote, "The only way that we can live, is if we grow. The only way that we can grow is if we change. The only way that we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. And the only way that we can become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the open. Do it. Throw yourself.”

Change fosters growth. Growth makes us better. This change is a very good idea. I can do this. I can do this...

 
"Yes, Elsha. I'll take it!"