(from my archives)

Last Monday I drove over to a friends house; I needed a shoulder to lean on. My friend greeted me with a big hug and an apology for her dog's enthusiasm for visitors.

As I walked toward the family room she pleaded, "Don't look at my floor!" To which I replied (as I looked at her floor), "Why don't you want me to look at your floor?"

"Because of him."

"Who?"

"Cowboy. He's shedding. There's dog hair everywhere."

Like me, my friend has hardwood floors and this time of year if you miss even one day of cleaning, you could stuff a pillow with what you'll collect the following day. This is the season for shedding. And shedding. And shedding.

My own dogs, a yellow Lab named Hannah Banana and a black Lab named Jasmine, are also shedding. And shedding. And shedding. And although I have moments when I grumble about the effort it takes to keep floating dog hair at bay, they are worth it. They bring much joy to our home.

We, too, shed. When God begins a work in our hearts it's not pretty or convenient. Bless our hearts. We're simply high maintenance. When a loved one is in the midst of change (shedding destructive behavior) they become high maintenance. But take heart. It's for a season.

Soon, life will feel lighter. So, commit to loving yourself and others during seasons of change. Focus on the joy each of you brings the other. Determine to be patient and kind.

Prayer: Lord, bind my heart with cords of loving kindness. Grant me the grace to be patient with myself and others during seasons of change. And thank You for making all things new.

Are you in a season of change? Is a loved one in the midst of change?

When I grow impatient with myself or another throughout seasons of change, it helps me to make a list of what I see changing. And also, to ask God to grant me a deep appreciation for the redemption at hand.