A Settled Heart in the Midst of Transitions

I first met Elizabeth at a marketplace prayer conference in Richmond, VA.  The sister of one of the young men in our church and a friend to many of the gals I discipled, I was struck by her graciousness, her hunger for God, and her desire to be used by Him.  I was thrilled when Elizabeth agreed to be interviewed.  She's been through quite a bit of transition in the fast few years, transitions that are completely normal for many 20-somethings - graduating from college, moving, marriage.  And although transitions are part of the package of moving into adulthood, they are challenging.  If you're dealing with transition in your own life, I think you'll find this interview with Elizabeth to be particularly valuable.  

Elizabeth, you've moved a lot, but recently have settled in Charlottesville, VA.  What brings you to Charlottesville?

In our three years of marriage, we have bounced around to four homes and three cities.  For the next two years, we've settled into Charlottesville while my husband gets his MBA at Darden.  Two years in one place feels like a small eternity to us, and we're grateful for the chance to actually settle down somewhere for a bit.  As a UVA grad, I was elated at the chance to come back to Charlottesville and it's been a treat to connect with old and new friends.  We have no idea where we'll be after Darden, but for now, we're enjoying each minute that we're planted in Charlottesville.  

With marriage and moving, you have faced plenty of transition over the past few years.  What  are several challenges you've faced in the transitions?  

Ahhh...yes, there have been quite a few transitions over the past few years.  The biggest challenge I faced was longing to have a settled heart amidst so many unsettling and unknown circumstances.  I like to be in control and it's been hard feeling like there is so much out of my control.  Yet through all of the transitions, the biggest thing that I have learned is that even though our circumstances may be in flux, there is One who is steady and constant.  One who takes us by the hand, and says, "do not fear, I will help you."  

Along the same lines, I have wrestled with embracing my current season/city/home/lack of window treatments, and longing for what's to come rather than what is.  Over the past few years, God has taught me so much about dwelling where He has planted me and embracing my current situation, rather than eagerly looking forward to what might be next.  One verse that has been a lifeline for me recently is Psalm 37:3 from the NKJV: 

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; DWELL in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.”
I just love the image of dwelling in the land and feeding on the faithfulness of God.  And I've seen that as I've worked towards dwelling where God has planted me, God has been incredibly and abundantly faithful.  

Elizabeth, clearly God has used your circumstances to teach you to be settled in Him,  and He's comforted you and given you guidance through His Word.  Practically speaking, during the times of transition, what did it look like for you to have time in your Bible and for prayer?  

Well, practically speaking, sometimes, it meant that I lay in my bed with my Bible opened and lying across my face.  I'll be honest, there were a few times when things just weren't working out the way we had planned, and I was so desperate to know what God's next steps for us were, that I would fall asleep with the Bible on my face, somehow hoping that it would help give me some kind of osmosis and help to open my eyes to see God's path for us.  I was desperate. 

Most days, I was so hungry for answers and direction that praying and reading my Bible came much more easily to me than it does when I feel like my life is just coasting along.  I was in the Bible and praying throughout the day because I was hungry, desperate, and just longing to hear what and where God was calling us to.   

Practically, for me, it meant lots of journaling, being still and listening, and reading through the Psalms.   

Transitions are a scary place to be, so it also meant a lot of talking to God about my fears, anxiety, and worry over the future and the unknowns and then pausing and listening to God reassure me over and over again that He was there, I had nothing to fear, and He would help me.  

I love the image of you falling asleep with the Bible resting across your face hoping for supernatural osmosis.  Seriously, it sounds like you knew just where you needed to be as you sought God's direction.  Elizabeth, it's been great hearing from you.  Is there one thing that you'd like to leave with women today to encourage them in their own transitions?

Thanks so much for this opportunity, Cindy!  The one thing I'd like to encourage other women in the midst of their own transitions is this: change and the unknown is pretty much a guarantee in life.  Even when we think we have everything totally figured out, our plans can change in an instant.  But when it turns out things aren't going they way we planned them, we need to remember that God. Is. Faithful.  He is constant in the midst of each and every transition, and while the path may be unknown to us, God knows our way, and when we trust Him, we can be confident that His way is ALWAYS the best way!   

Elizabeth is a twenty-something girl who loves God, bargain shopping, power walking, popcorn, chick flicks, reality TV, and pretty much all things fancy.  In her professional life, she works for an innovative early education initiative that seeks to raise awareness on the importance of the early years and ensure all children arrive at kindergarten ready to learn.  In her spare time, you can find her blogging at Long To Love, or coordinating logistics for Changing Seasons, a group that seeks to provide women with a sense of purpose and belonging, and equipping them to live lives marked by love and joy and grace.