I hate change. Wait, I don't.

Change is everywhere in our culture today: Climate change, change in our tax rates, facebook is always changing its format.

               
Some changes are expected and prepared for—the birth of a new child, a change in seasons, a new grade in school. The ones that make humans fear Change, however, are the unexpected changes—a sudden loss of a friend or family member, a newly-diagnosed illness, the loss of a job.

               
As a Christian, I believe that God uses everything to aid in molding me into the person He wants me to be. If that is the case, then change—no matter how uncomfortable or unexpected—is never a bad thing, even if and when it comes through horrific circumstances. But, even knowing this, I fear and fight change rather than embracing it… why?

               
It is not change we humans are afraid of. We fear the uncertainty that comes with change. Because, really, what is more constant in our lives than change? Changes in seasons, changes in weather, blink and your kindergartener is asking for the car keys. Even our unchanging God changes the way He deals with us as we mature—both in years and spiritually.

               
A hurricane of change is in a holding pattern over the Strong Household right now—some of it expected and some not-so expected. A new “member” of the family has been “birthed.” On April 1, my newest novel, Flash, will be released, joining the other two books of mine now in print. A lot of hard work and preparation went into the newest “baby” and its arrival is something we spent a lot of time and effort preparing for.

               
Other changes were not so anticipated. After losing his job right after Thanksgiving, my husband found his dream job… 400 miles away. So we are in the process of getting the house ready to sell. This is one of those bad changes—we can’t see the end and don’t know what even next week looks like. Even though we are in the midst of change, we can see that this will be a good change—even if we may not see that good for a while. So, we rest in the knowledge that the One who planned the futures of entire civilizations has our future planned out as well.