"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens..."

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘺 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵

For as long as I can remember, I’ve lived in a cozy cottage called Comfort, built on the foundation of Familiar. Many of my waking hours have passed pleasantly within these walls, and with that I am content. The siren song of Security surrounds me with a sweet and never-changing melody.

But some days, the wind shifts, and the current sends snatches of different voices drifting my way. When I venture to open the door of Discovery and step out to see what lies beyond, I find a whole new world unlike the one I inhabit. I encounter new faces as well.

One time was the day Change came to visit.

Though I was not prepared for her, she insisted on coming in and immediately made herself at home. Not content to sit at my dining room table while I explained the household rules she must follow if she wished to stay, she began rummaging through my kitchen cupboards, humming an unfamiliar tune as she did so.

“What are you humming?” I asked.

Change turned and smiled, life blooming in her cheeks. “It’s a new song. You’ll learn it soon enough.” With that, she went back to her task.

The ease with which she moved about and found what she was searching for showed that she had been here before. Perplexed by this feeling of being made a stranger in my own house, I sat and watched as Change took over. She pulled out spoons, utensils, bowls, and measuring cups and set them on the table. Still humming, Change opened my refrigerator and pulled out food I had labeled and saved for later use.
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Once her hands were full, Change nudged the fridge door closed with her hip, then strode back to the table and set everything down. Stepping back, she assessed the baking items and ingredients. Then she set to work without a cookbook in sight.

“Surely you’ll need a recipe,” I commented—part statement and part question.

She tilted her head as she broke an egg of Excitement into a small mixing bowl and whisked it vigorously. “No, I don’t. It’s more fun this way.”

I sighed. Then I leaned forward and rested my elbows on the tabletop, resigned to my fate. All that was left now was for me to watch as this stranger made a mess of everything I had so carefully arranged.

Unaffected by my lack of enthusiasm, Change continued, measuring out mounds of Mercy and the flour of Faithfulness. She added the spice of Surprise, the sugar of Solitude, and the salt of Sadness.

Meanwhile, I wondered how all of this could ever turn into something good.

Finally, the dough was ready, and Change set it on top of the oven to rise. While the yeast did its work, Change did hers. She washed the dishes, mopped the floor, and even went so far as to polish the windows until they glistened.

After she’d finished transforming the kitchen into a state of cleanliness, she rolled out the dough. Once it was formed, she put it in the oven.

Then she turned to me. “While we wait, I’d like you to meet a friend.”

A knock sounded at the door, and Change rushed to let the visitor in. I turned to see a young man dressed in sturdy clothes and hiking boots. He gave me his hand as Change said, “Meet my traveling companion, Adventure.”

Adventure grinned. “Pleased to meet you.” He shifted his backback on his shoulders. “Mind if I sit down and rest a minute? It’s been a long journey.”

“Certainly.” I went on, “Would you like something to drink?” Perhaps the sooner I gave him something, the sooner he would leave. I didn’t like the hungry look in his eyes. He wore the bearing of a man not yet satisfied, and that unsettled me.

“Two glasses of water, please. We have far to go.” He looked at Change. She turned and spoke to me.

“We’d like you to come with us.”

I nearly knocked over the glass I’d gotten out. “Me? Oh, no—you’ve got the wrong one. I’m perfectly content here.”

“Which is exactly why you must come.” Change reached out her hand.

I shied away. “I don’t want to.”

“Oh, but you do,” Adventure broke in. He fanned a hand toward my living room. “How long have you sat on the couch of Complacency staring out through the windows of Wonder? And how many times have you wanted to know what lies beyond the things you have seen?”

He let the words linger for a moment. No one spoke.

The yeasty aroma of fresh-baked bread filled the air. Change went to pull the loaf from the oven and set it before me. Tendrils of steam wafted upward. I inhaled, filling my lungs with warmth. The scent was hungering yet satisfying at the same time.

“I’ve already made food for the journey,” said Change, looking down at the loaf.

“What is it like?”

She smiled. “Taste and see.” She sliced a piece and gave it to me.

I took a bite, and then I believed. Dusting the crumbs off the table, I stood.

Change and Adventure waited, looking at me expectantly.

I smiled. “I’m coming with you.”

𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴

As you may have been able to gather from this month's featured piece, I've been in a season of change. Transition in my personal life has necessitated some shifting in my writing life as well, since the two are inextricably connected. It has been less a season of production and more a season of gathering. I trust that many of the things I'm experiencing right now will one day turn into things to be written about, but the time for that has not yet fully come. In the meantime, I'll still be writing and sharing what I can draw from this middle part of the journey.

Also, this month was originally when I planned to release Carry the Flame, but due to some things that came up near the intended release date, publication was delayed. However, we should be on track to release it soon—hopefully within the next few weeks. If you think of it, please pray that all goes well and we will be able to make our backup release date! I'm looking forward to having it finished and ready to share.

𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 (𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴)

“There is incredible uncertainty and difficulty in shifting paths, but also excitement and certainty knowing
that God is having his way through you and in you.”

McKenna Vietti

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What is one truth you have clung to during seasons of change?