The other day, my little person was sick with a lowgrade temp and an earache. Since he had a previous ear infection, I quickly suspected that either it had returned or he hadn’t fully recovered the first time. I’m so glad I have Christian friends to help me navigate this stuff and let me tell you why.
I hate it when my kid is sick. It upsets me and totally bums me out. So, in my frazzled state, I searched for a remedy to fix my baby’s discomfort. I saw Motrin.
“Perfect“, I thought.
Then, a few moments later, I noticed a half-full bottle of a pink antibiotic the doctor had given him weeks earlier. You know what I was thinking – every mother has. I quickly texted my buddy who is also a doctor.
“Is it safe to give John-John leftover antibiotic?”
I continued to text “He finished the first round, but had some leftover”.
I tapped my fingers on the kitchen table as I waited for the “ding” that signified her response. Then, I heard the vibration of my phone and the “bell” prompt I had been waiting to hear.
Her response was direct, clear, and, Girl, I got the point.
I forgot the exact words, but let’s just say she said a “NO” that reverberated through cyberspace and made her intense passion very clear. Needless to say, I threw that stuff out and will never keep leftover antibiotics again. She scared me straight.
Seasons for everything even Christian friends.
As the seasons change in Kansas City, I thought about how our life seasons change just like that old medicine. Things and people that bought healing and comfort can do the exact opposite if expired or remain too long.
God in His matchless wisdom knows what we need in our lives and exactly when we need it.
Sometimes, we create dissidence (or chaos) when we try to hold on to the old “stuff” and carry it into our new life seasons. (Think of the children of Israel and the manna!)
Christian woman, why keep it around?
For instance, how many of us hold on to clothes that were perfect for us in our 20’s and 30’s only to have them sit in our closets year after year. I know I do.
Why do they remain in there? Why don’t we wear them any longer?
Because either we can’t fit them anymore or the style is just not “us” anymore…but, we want it to work anyway.
Each time we look at those size “6’s” or those puffy shoulder pads from the 80s, we just cringe because we know we should just get rid of them! The same goes for relationships, I think.
Like you, I have had friendships and relationships that suited me perfectly years ago but aren’t as comfortable for me as they once were.
It’s not that I’m any better than they are, nor or they any better than me, it’s just a matter of growth, timing, and, well, seasons.
Some Christian friendships and relationships expire.
I’ll bet the same is for you. The seasons changed and people that used to bring friendship can sometimes just bring grief – it depends on the season of life we’re in, don’t you think?
We’ve just gotta face it; those Christian friends no longer fit.
I have resigned to the fact that everyone in my life will not be in it as long as my best friend, Cheryle.
Thank God, she’s a lifetime relationship, but maturity recognizes that not all relationships are lifetime ones.
Sometimes, we just have to let go to move forward and it can be as awkward as getting rid of an outfit that was once super cute on us.
We can release a lot of stress when we understand that God holds our future in perfect congruence with His will.
For years, I often read a quote that helps me so much. In fact, I have it perpetually programmed in my calendar.
It pops up incrementally throughout the year.
Here it is:
“We should dwell on the fact that right now — at this very moment — Christ is working behind the scenes for our good in countless ways that we cannot begin to recognize. If I lose something (or someone) I wanted, perhaps it wasn’t God’s will and He’s preparing something much better for me.”
Those words help me let go of some things (and people) when I need to do so.
Yeah, I’m learning to trust Jesus with the right people, opportunities, ministries, and relationships for my life. Things may change. People may go.
Just don’t “ghost” the and disappear.
May I have the grace to let go when I need to and trust Him in every season. He knows what’s best for me (and you), right?
So, we don’t need to hang on to old medicine” to bless us in our current lives. Sometimes things just expire and that’s okay, Christian Woman.
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Hi there! I just found your blog. I have been blogging on a subject simliar to this one : )