By Christine Webb
Change…..
Change is often difficult. Whether it’s moving, a new job or loss of job. It could be a health situation or relationship status change. Change means growth and sometimes growing is hard. But I want you to be encouraged today – growing means you are learning. Be patient with yourself during changes and take it day by day. Through this you will become stronger and God will take you to new levels.
I remember about 9 years ago this time I was getting ready to move from Rochester, N.Y. to Orlando, Fl. Talk about a big change. There was a climate change and that was a definite plus! No more cold and snowy weather. But there was also a tough change. I absolutely loved the television station I worked at. I loved the people who had become like family and it was really hard to leave. I was also leaving under tough circumstances – fresh from a breakup and dealing with a relationship change. At times, I felt so overwhelmed with all the change.
Through all the change, there is no doubt I was learning and growing and it wasn't easy.
I vividly remember my first couple of weeks at work at News 13. I had gone from a station where everyone had a photographer to me having to do everything. I had to learn how to shoot, edit along with reporting. That was truly a humbling experience. I’ll never forget being sent out to the Orange County Courthouse for a story. Every other station had two crews there—reporters and photographers and then there was little me….struggling to carry a camera, microphone and do it all in a dress. I remember getting into my News vehicle afterwards feeling so defeated and crying my eyes out. I wondered if I could ever do it.
But I’ll never forget what happened a couple of weeks later. Scott Harris (who is now in heaven) pulled me aside and gave me a pep talk I desperately needed. “Every day you will get better. Learn from your mistakes and grow.” It wasn’t just his words I was heeding, it was his care and compassion about me as a person. He was always checking to make sure I was ok as he did with so many others. From that point on, I knew I had a choice and it started with my mindset. Whatever I believed would turn into words and those words would turn into actions. It took some time, but week by week, month by month and year by year, I’ve grown.
I say all this as an encouragement to you today.
Are you facing a change? Are you in the midst of a transition?
Be patient with yourself. Take it one step at a time. Know and believe you are learning and growing and God is with you every step of the way cheering you on to great things! Believe that today!
Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."
Christine Webb is the Pastor of the Ft. McCoy United Methodist Church
