Change; the act or instance of making or becoming different.
"Just keep the change," I said to the cashier at Chick-Fil-A as I grabbed my table marker and went to get some straws and extra napkins. It was only 13 cents, and I know that every penny adds up but honestly, at this point, the extra 13 cents was nothing. No big deal. It's just 13 cents. And still, something about my action began to sit heavy on my heart. "Why is it such an inconvenience for me to accept that change? Why is it that I would rather relinquish something that's rightfully mine than carry around a little bit of something extra?" Well...
because change weighs us down.
Change clutters my wallet and decorates the floorboard of my car in spare pennies. Change makes my jeans fall down and my pockets rattle. Change is heavy; change is inconvenient.
And yet, change still adds value to my life.
Let's think about the life of a flower for a moment, because just like us, they too go through several different changes. It's pretty well understood that all flowers start out as seeds. And then, from there of course, they are planted in the dirt, watered and left out in the sun where they can receive the proper nourishment needed to survive. Over time, that seed begins to sprout... and over more time, that weed begins to bloom, and before you know it there's a flower. But this isn't really about flowers, now is it? No. This is about you. This is about me.
Honestly, I like to believe that something in me likes change. I love the rush of new haircuts and new friends. I crave the chance to travel this earth. But, honestly, is that even really considered change? You see, change does more than occupy the forgotten crevices in the depths of our purses. Change shakes the ground we're walking on and whispers fearful sonnets in the dark of night. Change takes everything I thought I knew by ripping me from the safety of the shore whilst dragging me into the treacherous current of foreign waters. BUT... change is necessary to how we evolve as human beings.
You see, change was never set out to destroy the people we are, but rather change is intended to grow us into the people we were destined to become. We tend to hold onto the good times and cling to the things that make us feel safe and secure; the easy, but the truth is, the only way we will be able to truly blossom is if we step outside of our comfort zones. Sometimes we have to be like seeds and allow the planter and gardener of our faith to place us in the dark, cold dirt; not because it's punishment, but because it's what we need to be able to grow. He sees our potential. He knows the beautiful thing that He has created us to become.
So, while on you're on your knees, asking God to take the weight off of your shoulders, think of the strong person you'd be down the road if you decide to carry it. What about that change in your pocket that's jingling so loud that it's making you conscious of your every step? Well, He's using it as a beautiful song for someone. Don't take for granted the work that God is doing in your life. Even when you can't see it, there's a miracle in the making. It may not be for you. It could be for a complete stranger you'll meet somewhere down the road. But don't take it for granted. Everything He does, He seasons with purpose. Change may be scary. Difference may be scary. But... the only way you're going to make a difference is if you allow the change to happen.
Receive your change, because every penny you get will add value to your future.
