Transition: movement, passage, or change from one
position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another
Change:
to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of
(something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone
Loss: the state of being deprived of
or of being without something that one has had
I have thought about these words
a lot over the past year. In our
training we were taught about these concepts. Everyone knows what they are and has
experienced them in various ways.
Sometimes, they are in wonderful situations such as a marriage or a new
baby. Other times they are unpleasant like in a death. I can remember learning the five stages of
grief way back in High school. (Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and
acceptance)
So how do I as a Christian work
through these concepts? I am still
pondering it. A year ago we sold our
home. It was nothing fancy but it was
our home. As part of the letting go
process my husband had each of the kids write something on a wall before he
covered it with wainscoting. It was a
way we could say good bye.
My husband and I attended a six
week orientation when we arrived here.
At the end of the time some of the people stayed there. We had to say good-bye. Our instructor pointed out that it is a part
of missionary life, saying hello and good-bye. Many
come and go in the community we live in. Some are here for four years and go home for a
year. Others have homes in villages that
they spend a couple months at and then are on Center for a couple months. Some friends go home and never come back. The people are always changing. The friends I make come and go.
However as I read Hebrews 13 I
found this:
There should be a
consistency that runs through us all.
For Jesus doesn’t change—
yesterday, today,
tomorrow,
he’s always totally
himself.
So in the midst of transition, change and loss
(positive or negative) I can keep my focus on Jesus who is always faithful and good.
