Change: Natural, Unexpected, Gradual, and Unknown

It's been awhile. But in that while, I have learned a new important detail. What change really means, and how many definitions of change there actually is.

Some change just seems so natural. For example,in high school, most people have expectations, whether to graduate, to get their GED at a later date, to go on to college, or to go right into the workforce. Many people see the change coming. This is the expected change. While their might be a little fear in the process, it is something that everyone goes through and knows they will go through. It is also the change that people get remotely excited for.

There is also the sudden, unexpected change. The change that hits immediately and leaves us breathless, exhausted, confused, bitter, and fearful. This usually entails a sudden death, a terrifying storm, a scary turn of events, but can also mean something of such beauty and wonder that we don't even know how it happened or where it came from, such as a new and better job, a grand surprise, and the showing of love.

There is also the gradual, almost unnoticeable change. The change that doesn't seem to be happening, but under the surface has been going on for some time. This is the change that leaves people wondering, 'what happened?' and it can be a beautiful thing when it is for good.

Then there is the unknown change. The change that you know will be happening, but you don't know what it entails.  

I believe I have experienced all four of these changes. How? Well, let me diverge.

Last week, our group was split into two different groups to serve in other areas of Nicaragua. One group went to the jungle, and my group went back to the mainland to serve in Rivas. We didn't know what we would be doing or how we would be serving there. It was almost like we were going in blind-this was the unknown change.  

Sarai, the pastor of the church we were mainly working with, let us stay in her house. That was the natural change, out of everything, that was one thing we knew was happening.

For me, it was easier to go day-by-day in figuring out what our ministries were. In that week, we sang and prayed over some schools, we worked with a woman's group, we worked with a kid's group, and we handed out rice and prayed over some of the community that was hit the hardest with poverty and illness in that area. It was actually in the house-to-house visits that I experienced the sudden, unexpected change, and for once, not in a terrible way. 

We gave rice to a daughter and her mother. The daughter was at least in her mid 20´s and the mother was in her 40's. When we first asked to pray, the daughter was all in, the mother, however, wanted to continue to handwash her clothing, but after some coaxing from her daughter she came over to be prayed over. They said they didn't have any concerns but would like for us to pray over the family. So we did. We prayed in what we now have dubbed the "Nicaraguan style", in which everyone prays out loud at the same time. I remember one thing I prayed about was that the Lord would pour down his comfort and love that they may feel it and lean on Him for strength. When we finished, I opened my eyes. The daughter was grateful and told us so, but what really hit me was the mother. Tears were filling her eyes and were about to overflow. I knew in that instant, that an unexpected change had occurred. This woman wasn't too thrilled for us to pray over her or to give up her time from continuing her chores, but the Lord gave her exactly what she needed anyways. I truly believe in that instant something instantly changed and it was beautiful.

Lastly, I found that underneath it all, and unexpectedly, I have been changing. How could I not? I'm seeing things everyday. I had gotten to know all the children in the little church of Rivas, and their tender hearts has touched my soul. I didn't realize it until we got onto the bus after a fun beach day with the kids and started waving good-bye. It was only a week, but my heart was breaking from the realization that I will most likely never run into these kids again in this lifetime. Then it hit me, I was learning how to love. I'm not talking about the lovey-dovey kind of love, or the type of love that gets thrown around way too much in conversation. I'm talking about a love that is greater than myself, the type of love that happens when you truly just want to be their for others, to serve them, to be a part of their lives. The type of love that makes you genuinely interested in others and in part, makes you fully in the moment….fully living.

Change can be hard, it was hard to realize that our team was being split in two for a week (and again later in July), but it can be rewarding. It opens up new chapters in our lives, it helps us to continue to grow, to continue learning, and to continue to make the most of every moment. Change can lead to better things, even if terrifying. Because of all of this, change can be a beautiful thing.

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to thing that are seen but to things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18