Spring Forward
It’s a new season – so the calendar says. The clock was moved forward just a couple of weeks ago. The sun as moved into its new position. Birds are chirping away; flowers are blooming and the pollen is pooling at the edges of puddles. Yes, it’s spring. And maybe it’s a new season for me as well. At least, I hope so.
Ever since my Dad died last September, I have been in a funk. I can’t really say it’s a product of grief. I just have been out of sorts. Did it have anything to do with my Dad’s death? I don’t know. My grieving for him has been quite different from the way I grieved over my Mom’s passing. I don’t understand the difference. Maybe it was because Mom’s death was quite sudden (two months of sickness) versus Dad’s which was a slow descent to death’s door (over two or three years). Nevertheless, I am ready to move forward into a new season. I’m done with the funk!
A couple of months ago, the natural healthcare doctor I work for bought her own place; and we moved to the new space within a matter of days. It’s a very small practice with just three of us running the show. The doc, an office administrator and me. You could ask me what I do at the practice, and I might give you a bit of a pause before answering. I wear many hats there.
Ever since we moved, I have been the IT person, the phone person, the financial person, the maintenance person and even the cleaning person. I really enjoy the many hats. I never know what I will be called to do when I walk through the door. I actually like that kind of variety. Oh, the thing that I really get paid to do is be the assistant to the doctor. I work with her and her patients as we help them on their healing journey. That’s pretty cool! I feel like this is my calling and I am totally stoked that I get to do this and get paid for it!
But something’s missing. For the last few months, I just feel off. I have had my own healing journey over the last few years and I feel like that too is almost done. So what’s next? What am I prepared for in God’s perfect timing?
Waiting. It’s a hard thing to do. It feels like I have been waiting for something all my life. I am free to move forward in everything God calls me to. For eight years, I have been preparing for something else. I moved into the role at the doctor’s office three years ago. It’s been a constant learning process. We learn new things all the time. Researchers are discovering new things all the time. And we learn from their due diligence. The work environment is a learning environment. That too is a good thing. We need to stay hungry for new ideas and approaches to enrich our lives.
The patients who come through our doors are seeking answers. Sometimes it’s hard to help them find those answers when so many things are wrong in their approach to healing. Sometimes, it takes a gentle rebuke to get them to think differently and to move into a new lifestyle that will be conducive to healing.
Each individual comes in with different expectations. Some are expecting a miracle cure from the doctor that really doesn’t exist for what really ails them. And it’s sad to witness their lack of understanding and their lack of follow through. They usually just walk away.
But then there are others who come through the door and embrace change. They realize what they’ve done in the past hasn’t helped, so it’s time for a change. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome. In order to have a different outcome, it means change. Change is a good thing. A new season is a good thing. But it comes with a cost.
Change. It means moving out of our comfort zones. It may mean moving to a new area. It may mean leaving something behind we love in order to embrace something new. But if God calls us to it, there will be something better with embracing the new.
We are called to listen and respond to what the Holy Spirit is nudging us to do. The nudge could change our whole world, but most likely it will change someone else’s. One thing we might need to change is our attitude about change. God may be calling us to something new. Are you prepared for it? I think I am. Let’s move forward in embracing the new season and see what God will do in us and through us while we jump into His will with joy!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.
Proverbs 3:5-8 (NLT)
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