Wednesday Wisdom Tip – What Noise are You Making?
“This is the last time we ever attend her Christmas concert.”
“This is her last birthday at home.”
Change is coming to our home. Before we know it, we’ll be dropping off our daughter at college this fall.
There is nothing I can do to change change. What I can do is prepare.
One thing I love about God’s word is the stories of people like me, who struggle with the same issues I do. Ezra 3 shares a story of the Israelites and how they dealt with change.
The original temple had been destroyed; the glorious house of worship was gone. Now God was calling the next generation to rebuild the temple and they were doing just that. We’re told in verse 10 when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the people began to praise and thank God: “He is good; his love…endures forever.” All the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord!
Then in verse 12 we see that word..but. “But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.”
Two different types of noise from two different groups of people:
1) those who looked to the past and couldn’t get over the pain of loosing
2) those who looked to the future and rejoice in what was to come
They both had something in common; they both made noise.
One worshiped; one wept.
Change is inevitable.
My youngest will get her driver’s license in a few short weeks…change is coming. My house will be empty in a few short years…change is coming.
With these changes, I have an opportunity to choose which group of people I want to be in: those who rejoice at what is to come and those who continually look back. One adds to the joy; the other takes from it.
I don’t want to be the mom, crying at the graduation because her daughter is leaving. I want to be smiling for all the good the future holds.
I don’t want to be the mom, fretting with words of worry as I hand my girl the car keys. I want to be happy for her as she steps into a new realm of independence.
It’s my choice; my opportunity. This thing is true, though. My choice will effect those around me. My reaction will add to the joy of these special times or my reaction will take the lime light off the one it should be on and deflect it to me, the weeping one. That shouldn’t be; it’s their time and their day to be happy!
What change is around the corner for you? Little one starting kindergarten in the fall? A move to a new job location? Your parents are aging and you need to become more involved? All this change brings new opportunities for joy to embrace what’s new.
Friend, what kind of noise are we making? Shouts of joy or the sound of weeping? We can decide and make a wise choices.
I recall other Moms predicting they were going to cry at high school graduation last year, but I remember being so happy that our daughter was starting new chapter in her life. I am blessed that she talks to me or texts me almost daily. She had an extremely difficult 1st semester (stayed sick for 8 weeks,bad roommate, totaled her car in December), leaving me drained and wondering God’s purpose for her. It has strengthened her faith and mine and she has joined a bible study and interfaith group this semester. Our son gets his permit in 4 weeks and I am ready for him to drive himself. It is easy to worry over their well-being, but I have also learned the power of prayer and dependence on God. I told my daughter over Christmas that He will guide her if she makes him the center of her life and she has done so. Thank you for sharing this insight oday.
hi LC i have one teenage daughter as i was reading your reply to Lynns blog on” what noise are you making”
i was encoraged by your mail on how you have learned the power of prayer and dependece on God, it is such a blessing to read of the Greatness of God in peoples lives around the world. By the way i live in South Africa so i might never get to meet you but it was great been blessed by what you shared on. Have a sunshine day 🙂
Thank you, Kathy, for blessing my day! Lynn and otthers who write for P31 Ministries have inspired and strengthened me with their devotions. I hope you will be as blessed through this ministry and I will being praying for you!
Hi Lynn you have heard alot from me on how much your emails enspirer me to be a better mom, i live in south africa and my teen is 16teen she is our pride and joy. Today i was moved by your mail on which noise are you making? my thoughts on this one is. when i am tried and weary i tend to make errors on how i think about things the older i get the wiser i become and i tend to see the bigger picture. just yesterday i was with a lady who wanted to remove my pain in my life and i came away feeling like i had left her with hope, so often we want to feel sorry for others but in some ways it is better for the person to feel the pain for a while so as they can find a way for themselves to cope, we cant take pain away in some one elses life we can only be a friend and today as i read your blog i was reminded that the noise i want to make is looking towards the future and rejoicing what is to come,change is for me takeing one small step of grace each new day. May God richly bless you 🙂