Change is inevitable. It can be frightening and oh, so stressful! But change also provides a pathway to adventure ~ to truly living! Benjamin Franklin said, “When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.” Well, I guess my family and I are not finished yet!

Our first big change for this year happened exactly one year ago yesterday ~ with the head-on collision that took the life of a 27 year old girl whose car went out of control on that cold November night. I know this anniversary brings incredible sadness, pain and loss for Brandy’s family. And I’d imagine their Thanksgiving prayers are bittersweet ~ filled still with questions, but also with gratitude that their daughter (sister, friend) knew Jesus and is with Him now. Please join me and my family as we pray for her family.

The anniversary of that horrible crash also brings memories for us ~ memories of fear, pain, trauma, and of family ~ caring for us… loving us… and of a new family member, Ted, who loved us like his own parents through that crisis. But bones heal and time fades the scary memories, and life goes on for the Sorrentino family.

And the changes continue with the most wonderful of them all ~ the joining of the Sorrentino and Noble families, as our beautiful daughter Sarah was married to her sweet love, Ted Noble just last month. We are so blessed to have Ted as part of our family! God brought these two godly people together, and I can’t wait to see what He has in store for them.

Then there is more change ~ moving ~ Ted and Sarah into their beautiful new home in Atlanta, and Paul and me into a “temporary” townhome in the city as well. That’s a huge change for us, as we left our big house in the “country” and are adjusting to much smaller quarters in the heart of Atlanta’s booming “West Side.” But the truth is I know God is in this change too.

I feel a lot like Abraham when God told him, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” God did not tell Abraham where he was going. He just said “Go.” We’re not sure where we’re going to end up either. Sometimes, before God tells us His plan, He simply says, “Go. Obey. And then I will show you.” I feel like that’s what He is saying to us today. “Sell your house. Go to the city. And I will show you what’s next.”

Don’t you kind of hate that? “OK God… I’m good with this whole obedience thing, but can’t you just give us a clue of what you have in mind so we’re not just going into this thing blind? Oh… that’s the point, huh? If you told us what was planned it would not be much of an act of faith, would it?”

It’s interesting how that pattern seems to show up in so many of the lessons God has given us. Look at the story of the ten men with leprosy who Jesus healed on the road to Jerusalem. “When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.” (Luke 17:14) Notice what it says… “as they went they were cleansed.” They were not healed first and then told to go. They had to take Jesus at his word ~ GO ~ and then He healed them.

And do you remember the story of Peter walking on the water? During the night, the disciples had headed out to sea without Jesus. The book of Matthew tells us that just before dawn, Jesus walked out to the boat, on the water. The disciples were terrified. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. (Matthew 14: 28-29) Before Peter could experience the miracle of walking on the water, he had to step out of the boat!

Is God asking you to step out of the boat today? I know that’s what He asked of us. He often requires that we take that first step of faith before He shows us His plan. He says, “Go to the place I will show you” or “Come on, walk on water with me.” And then, once we obey, the miracle ~ the ADVENTURE ~ begins! I truly believe the changes my family has experienced this year are just the beginning of the next adventure God has in store for us. We are here in our little city townhouse, living like we did almost 40 years ago when we were newlyweds, and God says “Now wait and see what I will do!”

Change… it’s inevitable. It’s frightening and yes, terribly stressful. But change is also a life giving gift that allows us to say, “YES! We’re still alive!” I pray God will give you the gift of change this year. On Thanksgiving, as you remember to thank God for all He’s done for you during the past year, don’t forget to also thank Him for what He is about to do. The adventure is not over yet!

Tell us your story of change and adventure! Click on “comments” at the top right side of this page and share what God is doing in your life!

Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Mary Sorrentino