What’s Your Catalyst?

Change. Sometimes it is planned and sometimes it is not foreseen.

There are always “things we want” and “things we think we need”, what is your catalyst for change? Is it the desire for more, the need to feel like you are making progress? Is it something that you desperately want to manifest within yourself, that you ruminate over and over… Overcoming fears, not trying to please everyone, living in the present and not the past, ending the cycle of self-loathing, ending the battle of overthinking everything?

Your catalyst may be suffering. The struggle to build something that never existed before, from experiences you never would have believed your life would now be tethered to.

When we begin to make a change sometimes our discernment becomes clouded between what is important and what is nonessential or, to put it bluntly, worthless.

Lately, I have done my best to ask the question of myself with each step that I make and each action that I take “Are you investing in things eternal?” I in no way have this practice perfected, but I find it to be a good litmus test for anything I am considering. Progress not perfection, right?

As we begin the painful process of sorting through memories and material “things” that were a part of our lives prior to October 2017, I look around at all of these things that, as parents, we wanted Olivia to have. Most of which, I am sure she never really “needed”.

It makes me contemplate the question “What could God possibly need from me?”.

The mighty creator of all things, the One that tells the oceans how far they can go, the One that tells the sun to hide away and the stars to come out… what could I offer that He doesn’t already have? The answer is simply, nothing. He has wants for all of us, as any good parent would, but He needs nothing. He wants a relationship, a cherished bond, a love that permeates everything… as any good parent would.

No one else but you can provide the things He desires.

Sometimes we think that we can wrap ourselves up in “doing things” and force change. His word tells us “It’s already done.”

Sometimes, all that is required is being still and allowing the changes He has planned for our lives to evolve us into the people we were meant to be. Created in His image.

So… as we look at what our catalyst for change is, do we remember every once in a while to disengage our brain, overlook the “things” in life and ask what the human heart truly needs to survive? Then, can we find a way to make the brain/heart connection to best serve those around us and live in His purposes?

Remember to reach for the things that serve others well and are fulfilling to your heart and soul, these are the things that become the most memorable and meaningful to our lives.

Good or bad, in an instant things can change.