A New Normal

Dear Kids,

Hebrews 13:8. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Change is a huge part of life. From season to season and experience to experience the day to day patterns of our existence are constantly changing. For some this variety is exciting, but for most huge changes create an unsettled feeling.

When we are growing up we become used to a way of life. For better or for worse the routines that we experience when we are young become part of us. Often we do not know anything different from these familiar patterns and we expect that is the way life will continue on forever.

Some grow up used to constant action – running from school to sports or music practices, to homework, to bed, to school, to practice, and so on. Life revolves around a full schedule of friends and activity. Others are used to a more quiet lifestyle – one that requires less running and more quiet time.

I did not grow up playing youth sports. My life was more laid back with time after school to do homework and take a breather after the business of school. My family had somewhat of a predictable schedule where we would eat dinner and do family devotions together every night. That is why when I got married and had children I figured that is the way it would be for us.

When we entered the world of school athletics my predicted pattern of living changed dramatically. It seemed like practice was always during dinner time. With all five children playing some mix of football, volleyball, basketball, track, and marching band the action all year never seemed to end. Constantly I would need to leave dinner in process to run down and wait at the field or the gym for the coaches to finish their last minute comments. And of course, while picking someone up I was always dropping someone else off.

Dad’s being self-employed also complicated matters. Often he would be busy at odd hours showing houses or having auctions, leaving me to do a lot of the running. After much frustration I finally said to Dad, “I just want to have a normal life!” His reply shook me. He said, “This is normal for us.”

This began a revolution in my way of thinking. I realized that life is not always predictable and is constantly shifting. As each new season of life rolls around there are more changes that we need to make.  Though these modifications may still be unsettling, they are often what turn us to God for our stability. One thing we can always count on is that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. As life ebbs and flows around us He remains constant.

Dad and I are entering a new phase in our lives as you children have started leaving for college and life on your own. The athletic activities, though still part of our lives, are starting to settle down and we are finding ourselves with more peace and quiet. As the pattern of our life changes we are again adjusting to another new normal.

But what is normal anyway?  Patsy Clairmont says it well in the title of her book: Normal is Just a Setting on Your Dryer. Don’t put your security in a well-planned schedule because you will be disappointed. Put it in the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus Christ never changes.

Love,

Mama