An evening walk the day after Christmas to check on our pregnant Ophelia netted a big surprise! While we were eating dinner she birthed 11 little piglets!
Although obviously pregnant we had not realized how imminent the delivery so it was a lovely surprise! As I watched mom and her babies God began to whisper in my heart. Eleven is the number for transition so I knew change was coming.
Fast forward to April (present day) and things they are a-changin’! We’re knee-deep into transition. My sister relocated onto the property full-time in January so we moved into her house while some fire repairs were done to the farmhouse in late February. With one thing and another our expected stay of 2 weeks has turned into 6 and completion does not seem imminent. We’re living out of boxes, can’t ever seem to find anything (which house which box) and I miss my own bed.
Transition can be exciting yet difficult. I’m excited about the changes to my house but the process is stretching & challenging me. A few days after birth one of the piglets died because it became separated from the mama. During transition we need to stay close to God, our source but we also need to realize death is a part of life. Some things need to stay in the past; this season of change provides an opportunity to face those issues and allow them to die.
When the piglets were about 2 weeks old we discovered the runt was near death. Smaller than the rest she was pushed aside and struggled to eat. Some quick intervention with warm blankets, bottle feeds and TLC restored her health. Likewise, God uses transition to reveal parts of us that need some nurturing. Maybe we’ve fallen behind on our quiet times, we’re not worshipping or there is a wounded part of us that needs healing prayer.
Transition in our spiritual life can make us feel displaced, overwhelmed and longing for old comforts but the process is all about bringing God glory and creating Christ like character in us. It’s a pretty cool trade-off.
Despite all the construction mess in my house the beauty is beginning to appear – new color on the walls, more functional design and no sagging floor or gaping ceiling. I only wish Joanna Gaines was here to help me with my fixer-upper!
Are you going through a season of change?
Is God transitioning you to a new place of faith?
Here’s what the Bible says about transition:
2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all . . . are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Isaiah 49:11
I will make each of My mountains a road . . .
Isaiah 40:37
those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength
1 John 5:4
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, an assignment for you! Grab your Bible and look up the following scriptures, underline or highlight them so you can easily find them for ongoing encouragement.
Revelation 2:11, 17, 26
Revelation 3:5, 12, 21
And keep your eyes fixed on Jesus so you can become more like Him. Transition is only a season, it’s not forever – YOU CAN DO IT!!