Creating a "New" Normal

As Spring draws near, it is like nature is waking up.  I went outside today to find new buds on some bushes.  It was exciting to see.  It brought some perspective to my mind since just days ago the ground was covered with ice and snow.

I began thinking of the faithfulness of God.  So many times in life we have changes come at us we aren't prepared for.  Sometimes, even the ones we are prepared for still surprise us by the intensity of them.  I thought of all the changes that have occurred in my life that I hadn't expected, and I realized that I had survived them and even had grown stronger in many ways.

Life is change.  Sometimes I think God ensures change so we have to keep leaning on Him.  Changes can be bad or good.  Getting married, having a baby, getting a great job... all of these things are generally counted as good changes.  A divorce, a death of a loved one, a job loss, an illness... all of these things are generally counted as bad or hard.  Yet, change happens everyday.  Each time we have to go on afterword.   We adjust by creating new normals.

Some new normals are exciting, like an adventure.  Others just seem filled with memories of the past or the disappointment of regret.  Sometimes, like when my daughter was diagnosed with diabetes, the new normal begins with fear and goes on day by day doing what is necessary and adding the new steps as part of our lives.

Being led to homeschool created a new normal in our home.  No longer do I have all day to clean the house and run errands.  My husband taking a new job at the beginning of last year created a new normal in our work schedule.  His layoff before that created a new normal in our finances that still impacts us today.  Getting pregnant with my last daughter definitely created a new normal in our home as I was not planning on getting pregnant, but it was joyous when she arrived.

My new normals now are adjusting to life with one child far away, homeschooling a preschooler with the ten year old, and preparing the senior to graduate from our homeschool.  Life is moving fast.  Like Spring, I pray for God to renew me and give me the strength to handle all that I need to do.  Adjusting to a new normal often means taking deliberate steps to create new habits and new patterns in your life.  Life is going to change anyway, so you might as well make the best of things and enjoy what God blesses you with.  It isn't always easy when there is grief or anger to enjoy blessings, but we have to deliberately try.

One day the seasons in our lives will change, as they are meant to, and we will be facing different changes and challenges.  One day I will be watching daughters marry and begin their own families.  One day I won't be homeschooling (though that seems far away at the moment).  I can't live in the past and the future hasn't happened yet.  I know that, just as in the past there were changes to deal with, there will be changes in the future.  All I can do is live in today and pray for God to see me through.  He is faithful and will guide me to the "normals" in life.