"We’re adults. When did that happen, and how do we make it stop?" Meredith Grey could not have said it better herself, getting older comes with growing pains and the realization that change is inevitable is scary. How do we deal with not only the culture around us changing daily, but the people we are closest to adjusting to their new seasons of life as well.
Being the youngest of my family, I was used to my older siblings growing up, and was eagerly awaiting my time to be like them and do "grown up things". This past year I started college, my sister finished graduate school, and my brother recently got engaged! Dynamics I had once known of my family were beginning to look differently, and I had to face that we were growing up. Here are some lessons I learned this past year that helped me not just survive, but thrive in this season of life.
Throughout change God remains the same. Society will never stop shifting, and there will always be some new fad to chase. We all get older and entering new parts of life is a GOOD THING! However, if during this time you build your foundation on the consistency of the world, then what you live for will change almost daily. You will stand for almost anything, and quickly fall to everything if you are not planted in Him who does not waver.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." -Hebrews 13:8
You will not be given more than you can handle. Whether that is losing a job, not getting that internship you dreamed of, or giving into that thing you said you would never do, have faith that you were given someone to lean on in every trial, and a way out of every temptation. Change can really stink sometimes, and it can be a result of past mistakes, but do not doubt that some of the best things can come from the worst of times. God uses you most in your brokenness because that is when you cling to him the hardest.
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." -1 Corinthians 10:13
Change can also be SO GOOD! The most exciting moments come out of new beginnings! Graduations, weddings, babies being born, all of these are the milestones that can only arise from change. New adventures are fun and exciting, and lead to the unraveling of God's plan for your life. If we never stepped outside of our comfort zone and took risks, life would seriously be so boring. Recently realizing that my older brother is now going to become a husband and start a family of his own seemed way too crazy, in my eyes he was still my biggest Mario Kart rival, and the best Guitar Hero partner. However, now I get to spend this next year geeking out over wedding dresses and watching him marry the love of his life.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." -James 1:17
Growing up may come with some resistance out of fear of the unknown for what lies ahead. However, stand firm on the fact that someone went before you and paved the precise path of your life long before you came into existence. Through change comes growth, and endless possibilities.
