Change is Beautiful

I think one of my favorite things about fall, the transition to winter, and the arrival of spring is the symbolic reminder that change is a beautiful thing. 

I know that is an insanely cliché way to start, but it’s true. 

I absolutely love nature—being outside, admiring the landscape and breathtaking views, or noticing the small details of a flower.

Nature is a consistent reminder for me of how big my God is and how incredible His creation is. 

And while Northern California has nothing on the Northeast, every fall, I’m in awe of the way the leaves change colors. 

Yes, there are still lots of evergreens and palms in the Golden State, but the neighborhoods with Maple, Oak, Sycamore, and Gingko turn incredible shades of red, orange, and yellow. 

And I love it.

I’ll be the first to admit that change–any type of change–made my skin crawl when I was little. And by little, I mean through my teenage years, too. 

I found comfort (and in a lot of ways still do) in familiarity, consistency, predictability, and stability. Give me a bit of structure and I’ll snuggle right in. 

I giggle at myself when I think back to the first time my parents surprised my brother and me with a trip to Disneyland. I have a vivid memory of the two of them telling me we were leaving that night. Rather than matching their excitement, I cried. 

They wouldn’t tell me where we were going. They gave me no notice. And what did I care about? That I would have to leave behind my sweet kitty, Snowflake. 

They did their best to coax me into it, but afterwards, I made it quite clear… I did NOT like surprises. I wanted to know what was happening, when I’d have to be ready, and what we were going to do. 

After a four-hour drive, we arrived at my best friend’s house. The sadness wore off, and I was excited to see my bestie.

But to my utter disbelief, the surprise didn’t stop there. 

Early the next morning, my mom woke me up, saying it was time to leave again. 

Quite confused and upset, we got back on the road, leaving my sisters at my friend’s house. 

When my brother and I found out we were going to Disneyland, we were very excited. But wow, it was an emotional rollercoaster to get there. 

Through encouragement and coaching from my parents, I grew to love surprises. That was a result of becoming more comfortable with the root of a surprise—an unforeseen change in plans. 

As one would expect, growing up in a big family meant adjusting to curveballs on the regular. And it wasn’t until college that I learned to roll with fluid plans for the sake of doing something fun. 

I’ve come a long way from that first surprise. I’ve learned to enjoy aspects of change. With time, I discovered that change is what brings growth. It brings new, exciting things. It can still be really hard, especially when it’s a change for the worse–bad news, negative consequences, etc. But even those really hard seasons of change bring about good things. 

The imagery of a tree illustrates it perfectly. 

It begins bright green, lush, and full. Come Autumn, it feels the temperature drop and the sunlight disappear. Its leaves change color as a result. A beautiful transformation and indication that something is about to happen. Leaves of vibrant warm colors turn brown and wither. Strong winds and heavy rains shake them from their branches. And where a thriving tree once stood, exposed wood leaves behind a memory of what used to be. 

Months go by, and that tree looks the same. To the naked eye, it appears dead.

Until the sun returns. Appearing almost overnight, those bare branches are filled with tiny buds that soon bloom into flowers. A spring breeze shakes the petals free. In their place, those bright green leaves fill in. 

A few weeks later, the tree is full once more, having endured loss to experience growth.

In all seriousness, I’m encouraged by the life cycle of a tree. It reminds me that the seasons of my life are like those of nature. What feels cold, dark, and sad will only remain that way for a time. Sooner than I often believe, restoration ensues. Out of a season I didn’t know I would survive, I stand firmer than before. And the more often I experience this cycle, the more confident I become that I can do it again. 

I’m living proof that change is a beautiful thing. You are, too. 

We are even more resilient than the trees. Our transformation is even more beautiful to witness. For the entirety of our lives, we will experience change. I hope you’ll join me in looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. I most definitely believe every winter has its purpose. 

Next time you find yourself struggling with a change, remember the trees. Take a look around outside. God’s creation is a mirror to the work He’s doing inside you. You will get through this season. You’ve done it before. You’ll do it again. 

Remember, you are loved by God, wonderfully made, and beautifully you. Don’t let someone else’s voice speak louder than what’s true.

Until next time…

hugs,

Kylie