Lost Dogs, Empty Rooms and Teen Agers

It seems like everyone in our family is going through something right now: some of it good and some of it not so good. Career paths change, you move into a different home, children grow up, parents grow older, and life goes on. Growth and change is the nature of the family entity.

Rachel is now finding out what it's like to be an only child. She even admits she doesn't like how quiet the house has become. Change.

Kendra is a college student now. Out from under us for the first time and yet not too sure about her new found freedom. Change.

Rebekah's roommates have all moved out and she's all on her own. Now more than ever since her little Molly dog ran away. Change.

Katie is getting a small taste of parenthood with Kendra moving in with her. Katie is overwhelmed with worrying about Kendra getting up on time, making good choices, being safe etc, etc. Now Katie is seeing a little bit of what it's like to have a teenager instead of being the teenager. Change.

I have had so many different phone numbers and cell phone numbers I could not even begin to list all of them. Change.

Some things aren't supposed to change. Mommy and Daddies are supposed to love each other forever. Children aren't supposed to die before their parents. Home is supposed to always be a safe place. Change.

Sometimes the fear of change keeps us from dealing with issues in our lives that need to be handled, sin that needs to be confronted and taking that stand that needs to be made. Change.

I read that a healthy marriage "breaths." I believe a healthy family breaths. You adapt to the natural changes that occur in life. Change is scary, it sometimes hurts and you oftentimes cannot control it. But change is necessary to grow and to experience the next thing God has for you. If you live your life holding your breath in fear of what's around the corner you're not really living. Change.

I'm not holding my breath. I am determined to breath in every moment that life has to offer. The good smells ( like the smell of a freshly bathed baby) and the not so good smells ( like a teenagers bedroom)… I want to breath them all in!!! Change.