As you've probably noticed, I'm not content to set up my blogspot and then leave it alone. When I put the picture of crafted halloween stuff at the top of my blog I thought it was seasonally cute. But I got tired of it really quick. Plus, it was directly oppositional to my philosophy of halloween.
The traditional American halloween is alright for kids, you know, letting them have fun and getting an orange or black pumpkin full of treats that will most likely last till Christmas or Easter.
Several years ago I decided to adopt the more Christian observation of All Saints Day. It's a time to remember the deaths of saints, known or unknown, in the Catholic Church. As a protestant I have chosen to commemorate the deaths of martyrs of the Christian faith, as well as relatives and friends who have died.
I still hand out treats to the cute trick or treaters. Usually I try to find something other than candy to give them. Microwave popcorn and bubble gum are popular as well as Hot Wheels and toys you can get in the party isle at Walmart.
Wikipedia has the history of Halloween which you can read by following this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
Getting back to my blogspot. As in a lot of areas of my life, I get bored with the sameness of things. Variety is the spice of life. I wanted to share this quirk of mine with whoever reads my blog and wonders what's going on with all the changes.
It might be my perfectionism that also motivates my tendency to change things around me. If something on another blog catches my fancy I want to try it too. I'm always looking for that "just right" addition that makes my blog a place I want to come back to again and again.
When I was in junior high and high school, which was when I finally had the "girl's room" to myself, I rearranged the furniture at least every other month. It was a way of having a fresh start, a new perspective, a starting over, putting the past behind me.
I'm aware of the psychological possibility that it's easier to change things outside of myself rather than work at changing myself from the inside out. However, God has placed just enough obstacles and/or trials in my life to necessitate change. I'm not sure I like or understand His sense of humor.
Change is hard work, especially when I don't accept change and end up digging in my heels and resisting it. Thank God for his patience, mercy, and grace.
I sometimes make the mistake of thinking I've matured enough to accept that change is inevitable and I'm ready to go along with whatever surprises life throws at me. Ha! Then pride or fear rear up and bring me face to face with my human fallibility.
Perhaps my resistance to change actually has a physical component to it which would explain the chronic pain in my feet. (You're supposed to laugh with me here, but perhaps it's too relevant to be a joke).
My friend, Red, likes to say, "The only constant in life is change." So, we might as well get used to it, right? Recently this came to my attention about change: Change is inevitable [Red is right]...you can either roll with it or be rolled over by it. Choose the former.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
But there is one sure thing, in a world of change and shifting foundations, we can have security in "Jesus Christ [who] is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8. He never changes.
6 comments:
Change is just about all I know. From an early age, my family was on the move as my father went back to college and seminary, returning to Kansas to help harvest in the summer. I went to four schools growing up, graduated from two colleges, and have lived in several homes and states since marriage.
My mind and body get a little restless if things get TOO settled. Don't know if it's good or bad--it's just the way it is!
All this to say, I can identify with this post :)
First of all, I love your new header. What an awesome picture! I feel the same about Haloween as you.
I find myself both wanting change and wanting things to stay the same..it depends on what we're taking about! There is a certain security in sameness, but it also can attribute to not growing and becoming stale. I think I'm just a mixed up piece of humanity!
But...like you said, God and His love is unchanging, and I know that I need to continue to become more like HIm. That's the change I really want.
Thank you for stopping by the blog and your encouraging words. You're right... change is hard, especially when it's the heart kind of change. God's been working on me lately, and while I haven't always taken to my "learning", I'm taken with my King. He's a gentle teacher, and a strong support along the way and as we go.
Keep to it.
peace~elaine
I say Boo to halloween. I love to decorate with pumpkins with out carved out faces on them. Pumpkins to me are the roses of Autumn. Change is most always a good thing.We learn through change. The scripture tells us.."that these things to shall pass." Nothing stays the same except God. Good post today.
Hmm---the "creationists" as I understand the term, affirm that God created the world as we know it in six days and nights, and then "rested" the seventh day. Is he still "resting", since he had nothing more to create? Change (evolution?), therefore, is an illusion, since all creation was a once and for all done deal "in the beginning"?
From dust we came and to dust we shall return. Not much room for "change" in that recipe, huh?
"The answer, my friend", sang Bob Dylan, "is blowin' in the wind". One answer if its a gentle breeze, another answer if its a cyclone funnel---take your pick.
Hey, Bro, I'm grateful you stopped by my blog. I doubt that you're asking me to respond to your hypothetical statements.
I'm certain that since the moment God created man he hasn't had a moment's rest!
Anyway, I'm sure you know I wasn't talking about physical change here, I was referring to change of the heart, the mind, and actions.
Hmmm, perhaps next time you could come through my blog more like a gentle breeze than a cyclone!? :)
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