If you are facing life changes or recovering from a challenging season in your life, take a breath and rest in God's presence as topics such as transition, loss, hope, and identity are examined daily through the Word of God!
Many of my personal experiences are included in this book, and yet it's for anyone going through any kind of life transition. Even positive changes can be stressful!
Hopefully readers will enjoy the daily anecdotes, and yet the main focus is on what God has to say about a subject- not my opinions, or anyone else's!
The Unpacking Blues Day 18
After one particular move, I felt very lethargic. I would get up each morning, prepare breakfast, get my kids to school on time, and come back to a house filled with unopened cardboard boxes. Now, I was happy to see those boxes! We had waited, not always patiently, for all of the wheels to turn during this move, and had been living in a hotel for a while. So seeing those taped-up cartons stacked in each room meant we could finally unpack and settle into our new home!
Except, I couldn’t.
I didn’t.
I felt drained of energy, not just physically but mentally. I sat on my couch, looked at the boxes, and they “looked” back at me.
I moaned about this to my brother, long-distance, and still remember his advice. “One box at a time,” he encouraged me. “Just tackle one box at a time.”
So I took his advice and soon found that once I got started, I could usually find the motivation to unpack more than just one box. Setting a timer helped as well. How much could I get done in an hour, or even fifteen minutes? Breaking a huge task down into smaller parts made it seem less daunting, and more do-able.
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.
Zechariah 4:10, NLT
Zerubbabel had a big job to oversee, rebuilding the temple of God. I imagine he may have felt a bit overwhelmed! But God rejoiced to see the plumb line, a device used to make sure the walls lined up correctly, in Z’s hand. It was a small step- and the walls were not rebuilt yet- but picking up that plumb line was significant and meaningful, something God saw fit to celebrate.
My friend, you might not be staring down dozens of boxes to unpack, but other sizable challenges may loom ahead. Making new friends, establishing routines, finding your way around an unfamiliar area, getting your children settled in their schools, adjusting to a new job or season of life- all of these take time, energy, and the resolve to get them done.
So, break it down. Pick one task, and figure out that first step. Maybe you don’t require a plumb line, but do you need a box cutter? A phone number or an address? Do that very first thing and pat yourself on the back! Then take another step. And another.
God rejoices with you!
Father, help me to recognize and rejoice in my small beginnings! Give me the wisdom to know what that first step should be, when a situation seems overwhelming.