Something new

When I was out and about yesterday, I saw a climbing plant growing up the side of a house, protected by a trellis. Because we had owned such a plant ourselves in earlier years, I recognized it immediately: a climbing hydrangea. I have long wished that we could find somewhere in our garden where we could cultivate it again, because for some reason I love this plant. Now in January it is completely without leaves, but as if it wanted to show off a little yesterday, bright little heads at the end of the branches beamed at me, telling me: not yet, but soon. Soon the new thing will come, soon the new leaves will open and unfurl in all their splendor. The plant is the same as last year and the year before, but something new is on the horizon.

That’s how I feel about my life at the moment. I’m still the “old” Karen. But the developments in my life are heralding new things. New things in my areas of responsibility and new things in my faith. The question is whether I dare to accept the new. Am I brave enough to leave the familiar behind so that new, different thoughts on certain topics can enter my mind? This feels dangerous at times because I have to leave familiar paths and enter uncharted territory. What will others think? Do I still dare? Do I trust that God will hold my hand on these paths and lead me step by step? That new and unknown does not mean wrong and dangerous?

I want to take courageous steps. Do you?

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:19

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterwards you will take me into glory. Psalm 73:23-24