9/26/07:

"Embracing Change" - by Kori Feuerstein

Opening Reflection:
Good Morning and welcome to today’s Common Prayer on ‘Embracing Change’.
Please stand and join in our opening song “Change our Hearts”.

Change is inevitable. We wake up in the morning and change our clothes. We change the kind of classes and meetings we go to at certain times of the day. The weather changes. Hairstyles change. The seasons change….I think we all get the idea.

Change is scary if you think about it. Sometimes we know when its coming, and sometimes it sneaks up on us like our annoying little brothers. But the way we approach a particular change in our lives makes all the difference in how we react and deal with the emotions that accompany those events and circumstances.

When the word CHANGE is brought up in a conversation, most assume that it’s gonna be bad. But think about it. Most change is good-for example-here at SNC-the new brick path that was laid down this summer between the campus center and the union. Now that’s a GOOD change-especially with all the rain we’ve had lately. It can also be a brand new baby in the family-now that’s a change for ya. Changes in life keep it interesting, otherwise we would all look, act and be doing the same things all at the same time. And we are all unique in our own ways, which is why we are given choices in how to lead our lives.
 
Change may also start out bad but in the end be a good thing too. Like going to college. When I first came to SNC, I was so excited to turn a new page in my life. But once my parents drove off, (laugh) boy was I wrong thinking that this would be fun. I am the first child in my entire family to go off to college so I had no one to prepare me for the initial shock of living away from home. I was definitely a freshman that was extremely shy at first and spent most days and nights crying myself to sleep. I would plead with my parents daily, sometimes multiple times a day, to let me live at home and go to the local college there. But my mom and dad stood firm in there reasoning for me to stay and adjust to college life. My mom would tell me, “Kori, you are going to get through all of this and come out on the other side a much stronger young woman than you already are today”. It took me about a month and a half to realize that St. Norbert is an amazing place….and the place for me.
Looking back, that particular change was heart retching to me-I get butterflies in my stomach thinking about it now.  I could have handled those feelings of unhappiness and gloom in so many different ways. But I choose to lean on my trust in God and those who are now my best friends. I knew deep down that God had put me in that situation for a reason-so I drew upon His strength. I prayed like nobody’s business, I attended mass here at Old St. Joe’s on Sunday nights every week and started to coming to Common prayer because of a RA who had reached out to me. It was then that I realized that it IS ok to ask for help and support from other people. I made some great friends that helped me transition and made me feel more welcomed. And for that I am so Grateful!

The song that was played before we started today, Lessons Learned by Carrie Underwood, basically sums up what change is all about. There is one line in the chorus that I like to remember when confronting change:
Every change that life has thrown me
I’m thankful for every break in my heart
I’m grateful for every start
But there were lessons learned.

We learn about ourselves with every kind of change we experience. The way we approach those feelings we experience and who we rely on to get through them make all the difference. Relying on our friends and family, our trust in God and our inner courage and strength can help us through both the tough times and the good times.

 So Today we would like you to relax…..take a deep breath…… and sit back and listen to the readings that Terra, Brad and Robert will be exposing you to today. After each reading there will be reflection questions that will be asked to you. They are listed on the extra sheet that you will find in your worship aid. Feel free to use the pencil that we handed out to jot down thoughts or ideas that come to you during the reflection period. This is for your eyes only and is solely used as a self examining exercise. You may also just like to think about those answers and that’s fine too. So let the readings and reflections help you Learn something about yourself today.

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Our Friends and Family:

Companion of the Suffering,
The touch of your embrace
Comes to me in the gift
Of those who stand with me.
How grateful I am
For the compassionate ones
who wrap me in their care,
And console me with their kindness.

Source of All Love,
What encouragement is mine
In those you have given to me.
Thank you for their thoughtfulness,
Their patience, their empathy.
When they stand with me,
I know in a more certain way
That you have not abandoned me.

Reflection Questions:
How do our friends help us to grow in our faith?
What friends support you during the good times? The bad?
How can I personally be there for a friend who is dealing with change?
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Our Trust In God

The Response Is: God of goodness, help us to trust in you.

For the talents and the abundance of gifts that are ours….
For the faith that stirs and grows in our hearts…
For the many people who have been your instruments of goodness in our lives…
When fear rises up in us and we do not believe in our ability to be your instrument….
When the busyness and schedules of our lives press upon us and create questions about your song within us…
When we doubt your presence in the difficult aspects of our days…
When emptiness, loneliness, and other struggles keep us from hearing your melody of love…
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Strength to Endure

Enduring Love,
Now is the time
For Me to stand strong,
To remain vigilant,
to stay with the pain,
To continue to be present.

Giver of Strength,
Firm up My wobbly legs
Of My faltering faith,
Reinforce My trust in you.
Intensify My ability
To not give up.
With your grace
I can remain faithful.
No matter how powerless
Or hopeless I might feel,
I can be a compassionate presence.

Reflection Questions:
How do you find yourself responding when you receive difficult news?
What is your initial response?
What is most helpful spiritually when you are in a situation that requires a difficult moving forward?
Where do you find your inner courage and strength?
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Closing Reflection:
   
Our Family and friends, our trust in God, and our inner self courage and strength can be our best allies when we need that extra something in our lives.  Draw from yourself the strength and courage when you need it-it’s always going to be there. God is also going to be there for you to trust in-lean on His strength. And last but certainly not least our Friends as well as our Family will be there for you when you need it-all you have to do is ask.