The Down-Low on What’s Really Up
Just because it’s been a while since we had a little heart-to-heart, and because some of you might be new here and think that this blog is just another stop for your daily dose of decorating and DIY overload– I thought I’d share some of the real life stuff that’s been going on with me.
This blog was first born out of my love of seeing things changed from boring to beautiful and finding out there are tons of people out there like me who have to create or die. I thrive on changing things up around the house and I’ve written nearly 1000 posts here now that are all examples of how to take something you have and make it better with a little creativity. I love it! Until I realize that I’m the project that’s on the table. And that’s kinda where I’ve been over the past 2 years or so– learning that I love change until it’s happening to me.
It was January of 2015 when a switch was flipped and God allowed things to be put into motion that would never be able to be reversed again. As many of you know, that’s when my dad was given his last handshake from the doctor who had to tell him there was nothing more that could humanly be done for him, and so began his last weeks on earth. That’s when my parents moved in with us until my dad died in April of that year. That was the most significant change each of us we had ever experienced, apart from the time we had each accepted into our lives the very God in whose presence my dad lives at this moment.
That change altered our course from then on. It altered my mother the most, who is now on the search for her new identity without my dad. And in truth, we are all trying to re-create ourselves in this world without him.
A few months later in 2015, more change came as my first child left home for college. And then, just as I was starting to get used to only 3 kids at home, my second child graduated in 2016, and off she went. And suddenly, we were a family of 4 for much of the year.
After all this change, I was leary of 2017 as well, as we began to realize that more changes would be delivered this year. I heard God faintly whispering in my ear the changes that were coming, but He was giving me time. June 1st arrived, and my best friend of over 40 years moved away. We haven’t seen each other in over 6 weeks, but next month, I’ll be heading to Texas to finally see her face. (There may be a road trip to Waco involved, so stayed tuned!)
And finally, because there seems to be a theme that God has going for us here, we realized it was time for more change for us this year as our girls will be starting a new school and we will be going to a new church. These are monumental changes for us. The best way I know to describe the past couple years is that I no longer recognize my life. Apart from the fact that I have the same great husband (thank you, Lord!), a few close friends and family, and I’m living in the same house, it feels like almost everything else has changed. It’s been very painful. But also very peace-filled. And all I can say for sure is that, even though it’s not what I thought I wanted, God has a plan for me. He has never changed. He has known every word in every chapter of my life and yours from the beginning of everything.
And I’m sharing all of this with you, not for you to feel sorry for me or not because I feel sorry for myself (because EVERYONE goes through changes like this in life, and many are far worse), but I say it to testify that God has been so gracious to me, and I hope you can stop and look back on your life to see the same truth.
He has been so very patient through every one of these chapters, giving me lots of time to mentally prepare myself the best that I could. He has gently pulled me away from people and situations I was very comfortable in, in order to give me better. I’ve come to realize that I’m that comfortable out-dated thrift store chair that the Creator saw potential in so He decided to take His time and energy to transform me into something only He can envision.
We had over 12 years of my dad’s cancer to try to prepare ourselves for the day he would leave. Like most other mothers, I had 18 years to prepare for my babies driving away. Denise and I had at least 3 years of knowing her husband might get a job out of state, and yet God gave us time to celebrate important events before they finally had to go. And I could go on about how He has given me time with other people and circumstances until those exact moments it was time for me to let go of them.
I don’t write from the heart like this unless I feel the Lord is compelling me to do it. That’s the reason I’m silent on the serious things sometimes for long periods of time. But today, which is also Pray for Me Monday, there is a reason He wanted me to share this. If you’ve been struggling with the changes going on in your life or maybe you’ve been searching for God Himself, let me remind you of the message of Ephesians 3:20 that says God is able to do exceeding abundantly {so much more!} than we can even think to ask Him for or even imagine! I love having promises like this to depend on in the hard times. There’s nothing like knowing that God is in control. He has a plan for me in all of this. And He has a plan for you, too!
{As always, if you have questions about the Christian faith or how to know God, please contact me! I’m praying for you, friends!}
Suzee
July 17, 2017 @ 9:28 am
Thank you. I really needed to hear this today. God bless you.
Julie
July 17, 2017 @ 3:00 pm
Thank you. That’s good news. And God bless you, friend!
laura
July 17, 2017 @ 9:39 am
My middle child heads to college this fall.It’s starting to hit us. He is ready which makes the transition easier. xo laura
Julie
July 17, 2017 @ 3:01 pm
I can relate. It’s a great phase of life, truly! Praying for you!
Amanda
July 17, 2017 @ 9:52 am
Thank you for your openness and also your encouragement!
Julie
July 17, 2017 @ 3:02 pm
You’re welcome. And thank you for yours!
E Aelterman
July 17, 2017 @ 11:06 am
Thank you for sharing!
Julie
July 17, 2017 @ 3:02 pm
You’re welcome!
Sylvia Frazier
July 17, 2017 @ 12:18 pm
Julie, Thank you for sharing your innermost and private thoughts regarding change. Changes in our lives and our plans that can shatter us if we didn’t believe we have a source of loving strength that we can reach through prayer. God has the very best plan for us if we are willing to turn it all over to Him. You are a strong christian and you have shared your thoughts in a very transparent manner. You are such a blessing to me and knowing you from a young girl to the present fills me with pride. As you know my Dad and your Dad,my pastor,went to heaven within a month of one another. It has been the most difficult change in my life to confront me. Even when we know change is on the horizon when our heart is broken we can’t accept the reality. Like you said although we are hurting we have the inner peace that God promises to His children. Friends move, children go to college and move to other states most often,people we love pass on to heaven, and as in our situation retirement plans are changed by various circumstances.We make plans for our future but God has the ultimate plan. In all of this we all survive and thrive because we know that God is not surprised by anything;God orchestrates our lives. Our part is to play the instrument He has given us to the best of our ability.You do this so well! Thank you for being in tune to God and for sharing His loving ways with all who know you persoanlly and through your blog world. Until the Lord comes….keep up the work God has given you to do. We love you and your family.
Julie
July 17, 2017 @ 3:05 pm
It’s been such a difficult path in some ways, hasn’t it? You’ve been through a lot of loss yourself. Thank you for always being an encouragement to me from the first moments I knew you. This means a lot to me!
Danie
July 17, 2017 @ 12:20 pm
Well, I think I was the person (coffee mug in hand) who needed this today
Thank you for your transparency! God has used your blog a few times in my life come to think of it. Praying for you today!
Julie
July 17, 2017 @ 3:05 pm
This is so sweet. Thank you!!
Emma
July 17, 2017 @ 3:05 pm
Thank you so much for sharing this chapter of your journey. As we all know, change is seldom easy and many are heartbreaking. But thanks be to our glorious God, He will carry us through the tunnel of darkness to the light. May the peace of Christ be with you.
Julie
July 17, 2017 @ 6:17 pm
Thank you for these kind words! An encouragement to me!
Tammy Jordan
July 17, 2017 @ 3:48 pm
Julie,
I’m going through changes also. I’m pregnant after 17 years and after adopting our daughter Sawyer. Things are always changeing for me moving all the time but what I realize is that God is always with me. It is sad to here that Denise has moved away. You both were so sweet to Dave and I when we were going to Temple Baptist. Your blog is great!
Julie
July 17, 2017 @ 6:19 pm
Thanks, Tammy! Wow– changes for you for sure! But how exciting as well. Thanks for your kind words! Nice to hear from you 🙂
Jennibell
July 17, 2017 @ 8:07 pm
Well-timed. Thank you for sharing your ❤️
If I had written out what I thought my life would look like on July 17, 2017 one year ago….this would not have been close! Nothing terrible or earth-shattering like your changes, but enough that it is significant. My peace is always in knowing that He is with me and not taken by surprise….I continue to look for His Will and follow although the lamp is definitely at my feet right now.
Julie
July 18, 2017 @ 9:11 am
This post has struck a chord with so many. And that reveals to me again that everyone has to deal with so much change! Whatever your changes have been, I pray that you’ll continue to have the peace of knowing He is in control! Bless you, friend!
Linda S
July 17, 2017 @ 8:09 pm
Julie – I have become to believe life is all about changes. When we are born, our parents are our world. Then slowly, we are handed off to teachers, at school and church, maybe babysitters, etc. Around 5 we head off to full-day school, and settle into a “routine.” Of course, once we go off to college, things change for us, but at this point, we are used to changes. However, once we are married, have kids of our own, this is our new “normal” and we grow accustomed to the new rythmn of our lives. It gets pretty comfortable at times!!! Suddenly, those kids go off to school, grandparents and even parents, pass, and you look around and your old comfortable routine isn’t the same. Most of us, as we get older, find it harder to change. We miss the way things were and find we are a little lost. It can be a struggle. Thankfully, you have God to lean on as well as a wonderful family and I am sure, friends, as well. You will find your way through….praying for you!!!
Julie
July 18, 2017 @ 9:13 am
So so true! To everything there is a season. So thankful for my faith & friends and family as well. It makes all the difference!
Jennifer
July 17, 2017 @ 11:35 pm
Love reading your heart, Julie. Thinking of you as you make your change to a new church!
Julie
July 18, 2017 @ 9:14 am
Thanks, Jennifer! It’s a big deal for us, as I know you understand:)
Leslie Haws
July 18, 2017 @ 12:26 am
Beautiful
Julie
July 18, 2017 @ 9:14 am
Thank you!
Petra
July 18, 2017 @ 5:39 am
What a lovely post Julie, thank you for sharing. God was changing my life in late 2007 when I fell ill with chronic fatigue syndrome, while trying to help mum help my dad with Parkinsons disease. Sadly we lost my dad in 2012 and we had to “find ourselves” again. My husband’s health was topsy-turvy so selling up, leaving work, and moving interstate was what we did – another “finding ourselves” time. God doesn’t give us any more than we can handle, and He is in control. God Bless you as you take your time getting through your changes.
Julie
July 18, 2017 @ 9:16 am
Thank you for your encouragement! It’s clear that you have been through a lot & had your faith strengthened! God bless you!
Liz T.
July 18, 2017 @ 11:50 am
Wonderful words of Godly wisdom. Thanks so much! Praying for you right now! Love in Jesus,
Julie
July 18, 2017 @ 7:29 pm
Thank you! So kind! 🙂