• Start Here
    • Privacy Policy
  • The Podcast
  • Spiritual Disciplines
    • Bible Study
      • Building a Bible Reading Habit: A 31 Day Gospel Reading Plan
    • Confession
    • Fasting
    • Prayer
    • Service
  • Liturgical Living
    • Advent
    • Christmas
    • Lent
      • 40 Days to the Cross: A Lenten Workbook
      • The Bible in Lent
    • Easter
    • Pentecost
    • Ordinary Time
  • Catholicism
  • Christian Living
    • Church Life
    • Hospitality
    • Marriage
      • Infertility
  • Latest Blog Posts

The Thin Place

Lean Into Change (Because You’ll Be Okay)

No matter who you are, your life will be full of several seasons of identity-changing transitions. You probably don’t remember the first transition, but your parents can probably attest to the fact that very early in your life, you went from being a baby, dependent on them to a toddler who threw some pretty dramatic tantrums in an attempt to declare your independence. There is a fair chance the tantrums continued past your toddler years and into high school as you grew up and tried to work out what all this change was gonna look like. Because change is hard.

I have worn many hats in my day. I’ve been a daughter, an older sister, a homeschooler, a college student, a barista (one of my favorite hats), a secretary, a wife, a writer, an in-law, and a military spouse. Each of these stages have demanded something from me. Several of them have demanded things at the same time.

When my husband and I got married, we really weren’t quite sure what to do with ourselves. The love and friendship that had swept us to the alter hadn’t yet been faced with the challenge of sorting out a routine and dividing up household responsibilities. It was weird. We had gone overnight from independent people to a new unit that had to sort stuff out together. We bickered and attempted to bargain over dishes and laundry. But we couldn’t stand at a distance and avoid the change, we needed to throw ourselves into it.

Leaning into change is a challenge but there is nowhere to go but forward. I am writing mostly to myself now. After three years of living on an island of perpetual summer and longing for the change of seasons, I am now, deep in my heart, resisting the move to Michigan. I am anxious to reconnect with old friends but sad to leave new relationships. I have finally settled into my Hawaiian home but now, up come the roots. Despite waiting for years to move, I am now digging in my heels because, well, change is hard.

Time doesn’t stop and pause at our convenience, it presses on. We can fight the current, or we can swim with it and trust God with our hearts.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.-Proverbs 3:5-6

Life is hard and uncertain but we can press into change because of the assurance we receive in Proverbs. The uncertainty of change crashes, wave after wave, into my heart. I quickly become overwhelmed with what ifs and try to account for every possibility. I fret and fear failure. But the Holy Spirit whispers to my heart that I do not need to be afraid. No matter which steps I take, if I honor God, my path is secure because He will straighten the road before me.

So I press on despite uncertainty. I take heart in the great hope that I have and know that He is faithful to His promise. I press into His word daily to remind myself of the magnitude of the love and faithfulness displayed of my behalf again and again. Change is hard but it doesn’t have to be scary when you trust in the Maker of the stars and the Keeper of time itself.

 

SaveSave

SaveSave

Join 6,878 Believers
Join 6,878 believers who receive weekly updates and spiritual encouragement and receive free access to the resource library and our exclusive Facebook group.
We hate spam. Your email address will not be sold or shared with anyone else.
Pin16
Share21
Tweet
Share
37 Shares
Share
Join the Convo

Leave a Comment Cancel Comment

The Comments

  • Victoria with One Sharp Mama
    June 8, 2017

    Hi!
    I’m writing today to let you know that I have nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award. I constantly find myself on your blog, popping around to different posts. I’m totally living vicariously through you, especially with the Hawaii posts! It’s on my bucket list to take my hubby there.
    You’re amazing and I wanted to make sure everybody else knows about you. You can see the award on my post at http://www.onesharpmama.com/2017/06/08/blogger-recognition-award/
    Keep doing what you’re doing.

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Victoria with One Sharp Mama
      June 14, 2017

      Thank you so much, Victoria! I love your site.

      Reply
  • Sarah Betty
    June 8, 2017

    Thanks for sharing! I know my husband and I’s life might be taking a huge change soon and I have been a bit anxious about it. You are very right in trusting God with these changes.

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Sarah Betty
      June 14, 2017

      I will be praying that the change goes smoothly and that God uses it in mighty ways.

      Reply
  • Amanda Krill
    June 8, 2017

    So good. I’m in a current state of upheaval. It’s terrifying but I’m trying my best to lean in.

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Amanda Krill
      June 14, 2017

      I will be praying that things settle son and that you can grow in the transition.

      Reply
  • Sharon Chanyau
    July 5, 2017

    Change is hard but when we trust in the Lord it will all work accordingly for He has plans never to harm us but to prosper us and give us an expected end. Blessings

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Sharon Chanyau
      July 6, 2017

      Isn’t it wonderful that we can trust Him to work all things for our good?

      Reply
  • Carola
    July 5, 2017

    Beautiful article on change! I can totally imagine how such a big move brings all kinds of feelings. Change can be scary. But also awesome. I love this quote from the Originals:
    “In every moment a choice exists. We can cling to the past or embrace the inevitability of change and allow a brighter future to unfold before us. Such an uncertain future may call for even more uncertain allies. Either way, a new day is coming whether we like it or not. The question is will you control it, or will it control you?”

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Carola
      July 6, 2017

      I love that quote! We can choose to be victims or do take control of the day.

      Reply
  • Kelly
    July 5, 2017

    Timely blog!! Well done!

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Kelly
      July 6, 2017

      Thank you, Kelly!

      Reply
  • Elaina Rhoades
    July 5, 2017

    Those pictures are amazing

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Elaina Rhoades
      July 6, 2017

      I’m glad you enjoyed them! It’s so beautiful here.

      Reply
  • Mica
    July 6, 2017

    Change is difficult at any stage of life! It’s good advice to just lean into it and try and find a way to cope – there’s no avoiding it!

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Mica
      July 6, 2017

      There isn’t! It’s so important to embrace it and make the most of the challenge.

      Reply
  • Julie Torres
    July 6, 2017

    What an amazing and motivational post, thank you for this, needed it today!

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Julie Torres
      July 6, 2017

      Thank you for reading, Julie!

      Reply
  • Cayla
    July 6, 2017

    Beautifully said!

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Cayla
      July 6, 2017

      I am so glad you appreciated it. Thank you for reading.

      Reply
  • Flunkingmonkey
    July 7, 2017

    Hey! Great Post 🙂 this was really nice to read after deciding to try blogging full time! It’s a change but I’m ready to lean into it!

    Reply
    • Bailey
      Flunkingmonkey
      July 7, 2017

      Best of luck in your endeavor!

      Reply
related posts

You May Also Like

I’m #Blessed When I’m Pure In Heart (So I Confess My Sin)

August 8, 2018

God’s Plans and Letting Go of My “To Accomplish” List

June 10, 2021

I’m #Blessed Because I’m Poor In Spirit

June 27, 2018
Hello, I’m Bailey
about me

Hello, I’m Bailey

The Thin Place was born out of a season of struggle. A season where I felt stretched thin and desperately longed to see the goodness of God in the land of the living. The goodness of God showed up in unexpected ways. During that season, the spiritual disciplines laid out in Scripture, the traditions of the Church, and the reminders of His faithfulness seen in liturgial living and the feasts and seasons of the Church calendar all opened my eyes to the hope we have in Christ.

Popular Posts

6 Habits To Start Your Morning Routine Like The Proverbs 31 Woman6 Habits To Start Your Morning Routine Like The Proverbs 31 Woman87K Total Shares
Pray Like Hannah and Give It to GodPray Like Hannah and Give It to God23K Total Shares
7 Spiritual Goals You Need To Start Setting Today7 Spiritual Goals You Need To Start Setting Today12K Total Shares
5 Important Ways to Pray for Your Husband5 Important Ways to Pray for Your Husband11K Total Shares

Products

  • Building a Bible Reading Habit: A 31 Day Gospel Reading Plan $15.00

Follow on Instagram

Chances are, the Books of Maccabees are probably the deuterocanonical books you are most familiar with!  It is in these books that we find the origins of Hanukkah.
To be honest, they are a rough read. A really rough read. They detail the suffering the people of God endured while their enemies attempted to control their land and wipe out their religion. 
It is a set of books filled with great suffering as many of the faithful are killed but it is also a book of great bravery and trust in the Lord in the midst of trials.
In Maccabees, two of the theological principles used today are clearly seen. The first, that God created the world out of nothing. 2 Maccabees 7:28 details how God did not make the world out of things already created, but out of nothing. 
The second principle is that of praying for the dead. While there are references throughout Scripture and it is a clear practice of the Early Church, it is most clearly referenced in 2 Maccabees 12. 
#christianwoman #graceupongrace #jesusgirl #inspiredfaith #womenlivingwell #jesuscalling #faithfilledcaptions #catholicblogger #Catholicconvert #CatholicWoman #chasingsacred #christianwomenleaders #bibleverse #biblestudy  #christianblogger #faithinhim #proverbs31woman #faithful #Godisgood #encouragementgallery #godslove #christianposts #christianquote #prayer #prayertime
thethinplace
thethinplace
•
Follow
Chances are, the Books of Maccabees are probably the deuterocanonical books you are most familiar with! It is in these books that we find the origins of Hanukkah. To be honest, they are a rough read. A really rough read. They detail the suffering the people of God endured while their enemies attempted to control their land and wipe out their religion. It is a set of books filled with great suffering as many of the faithful are killed but it is also a book of great bravery and trust in the Lord in the midst of trials. In Maccabees, two of the theological principles used today are clearly seen. The first, that God created the world out of nothing. 2 Maccabees 7:28 details how God did not make the world out of things already created, but out of nothing. The second principle is that of praying for the dead. While there are references throughout Scripture and it is a clear practice of the Early Church, it is most clearly referenced in 2 Maccabees 12. #christianwoman #graceupongrace #jesusgirl #inspiredfaith #womenlivingwell #jesuscalling #faithfilledcaptions #catholicblogger #Catholicconvert #CatholicWoman #chasingsacred #christianwomenleaders #bibleverse #biblestudy #christianblogger #faithinhim #proverbs31woman #faithful #Godisgood #encouragementgallery #godslove #christianposts #christianquote #prayer #prayertime
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
Judith is another archetypal story of the battle being won at the hand of a woman, seen also in Judges and Esther. 
During the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, an army is sent to destroy the mountain town that Judith lives in. The people are greatly distressed and death seems to be the only option. Judith, a wealthy widow, trusts in the Lord and ultimately, kills the opposing military leader and brings peace to the people.
It is a story of God’s provision for His people in their exile through an unlikely source, a widow. In Judith, we see an archetype pointing to Mary and to the Church, waiting for her true Bridegroom. 
But it is also a story that points to the Lord’s desire to draw all nations to Himself! One of my favorite parts of the book of Judith is that it tells us of the conversion of a man who initially sets out to fight the Jewish people coming to believe in the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. 
“And when Achior saw all that the God of Israel had done, he believed firmly in God, and was circumcised, and joined the house of Israel.” - Judith 14:10
It beautiful reminder that God’s deliverance is for all mankind. 
#proverbs31woman #proverbs31 #womenintheword  #virtuouswoman #godlywoman #godsgirl #christianliving #butgod #blessedandhighlyfavored #trustgod #daughteroftheking #walkbyfaith #daughterofaking #beautyfromashes #graceupongrace #dailydevotional #faithjourney #jesuslover #faithblogger #godisgood #graceoverperfection #michiganblogger #wordbeforworld #encouragingquotes #christianlife #christianencouragement
thethinplace
thethinplace
•
Follow
Judith is another archetypal story of the battle being won at the hand of a woman, seen also in Judges and Esther. During the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, an army is sent to destroy the mountain town that Judith lives in. The people are greatly distressed and death seems to be the only option. Judith, a wealthy widow, trusts in the Lord and ultimately, kills the opposing military leader and brings peace to the people. It is a story of God’s provision for His people in their exile through an unlikely source, a widow. In Judith, we see an archetype pointing to Mary and to the Church, waiting for her true Bridegroom. But it is also a story that points to the Lord’s desire to draw all nations to Himself! One of my favorite parts of the book of Judith is that it tells us of the conversion of a man who initially sets out to fight the Jewish people coming to believe in the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. “And when Achior saw all that the God of Israel had done, he believed firmly in God, and was circumcised, and joined the house of Israel.” - Judith 14:10 It beautiful reminder that God’s deliverance is for all mankind. #proverbs31woman #proverbs31 #womenintheword #virtuouswoman #godlywoman #godsgirl #christianliving #butgod #blessedandhighlyfavored #trustgod #daughteroftheking #walkbyfaith #daughterofaking #beautyfromashes #graceupongrace #dailydevotional #faithjourney #jesuslover #faithblogger #godisgood #graceoverperfection #michiganblogger #wordbeforworld #encouragingquotes #christianlife #christianencouragement
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
If there was any Old Testament book I would love to see made into a movie - it would be Tobit! It has everything! Despair! True love! Home remedies! Battles against demons! A quest to find the family treasure! It is truly a dramatic book. Like the book of Esther, it demonstrates God care for His people during their exile. 
Tobit is a narrative book. Like Job, it begins with a man who served the Lord but was met with misfortune so great that he begs the Lord to let Him die. At the same time, a young widow across the country is making the same request. God answers both of their prayers through the intervention of the angel Raphael who, in disguise as a man, helps Tobit’s son on a journey. It is a short, compelling story and, for that reason, it is a really great place to start if you want to read through the Deuterocanonical books.
There is also a beautiful contrast to Adam and Eve seen in the love story of Tobias and Sarah. Where one couple listened to devil and succumbed to temptation, we see the other stand firm in reliance on the Lord. This points us to the future coming of Christ and His defense of His bride, the Church.
#christianwoman #graceupongrace #jesusgirl #inspiredfaith #womenlivingwell #jesuscalling #faithfilledcaptions #catholicblogger #Catholicconvert #CatholicWoman #chasingsacred #christianwomenleaders #bibleverse #biblestudy  #christianblogger #faithinhim #proverbs31woman #faithful #Godisgood #encouragementgallery #godslove #christianposts #christianquote #prayer #prayertime #miblogger #michiganblogger
thethinplace
thethinplace
•
Follow
If there was any Old Testament book I would love to see made into a movie - it would be Tobit! It has everything! Despair! True love! Home remedies! Battles against demons! A quest to find the family treasure! It is truly a dramatic book. Like the book of Esther, it demonstrates God care for His people during their exile. Tobit is a narrative book. Like Job, it begins with a man who served the Lord but was met with misfortune so great that he begs the Lord to let Him die. At the same time, a young widow across the country is making the same request. God answers both of their prayers through the intervention of the angel Raphael who, in disguise as a man, helps Tobit’s son on a journey. It is a short, compelling story and, for that reason, it is a really great place to start if you want to read through the Deuterocanonical books. There is also a beautiful contrast to Adam and Eve seen in the love story of Tobias and Sarah. Where one couple listened to devil and succumbed to temptation, we see the other stand firm in reliance on the Lord. This points us to the future coming of Christ and His defense of His bride, the Church. #christianwoman #graceupongrace #jesusgirl #inspiredfaith #womenlivingwell #jesuscalling #faithfilledcaptions #catholicblogger #Catholicconvert #CatholicWoman #chasingsacred #christianwomenleaders #bibleverse #biblestudy #christianblogger #faithinhim #proverbs31woman #faithful #Godisgood #encouragementgallery #godslove #christianposts #christianquote #prayer #prayertime #miblogger #michiganblogger
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
The Book of Wisdom full of poetic principles and outlines how to live life well. Written around the time of the Maccabean revolt, it is written in the style of Solomon (and is sometimes referred to as “The Wisdom of Solomon”) but was written by later authors.
While this book was not accepted in the Jewish cannon, it is in every copy of the Greek Septuagint but it was quote by St Augustine over 800 times and, most importantly, was declared Scripture at the Councils of Hippo and Carthage. 
It focuses on Wisdom guiding the lives of the faithful, the follies of the wicked, and focuses heavily on our future home with God and the life to come. 
For those of you familiar with the Nicene Creed, the Book of Wisdom is one of the sources of inspiration of our description of Jesus Christ. The reference to Christ being “Light from Light” is taken from Wisdom 7:26 which refers to Wisdom as being a “reflection of eternal light.” 
There are also several passages in Wisdom which foretell the death of Christ. One of my favorite passages is Wisdom 14:7, “Blessed is the wood by which righteousness comes,” which reminds me how truly blessed is the cross which held the Savior of the world, our perfect Sacrifice. 
Wisdom is very similar to the book of Proverbs in length and style. It points constantly to the Lord who, as James tells us, is ready to give wisdom to those who ask. 
#bibletime #biblereading #readyourbible #proverbs31woman #proverbs31 #womenintheword #savedbygrace #virtuouswoman #godlywoman #godsgirl #christianliving #butgod #givemejesus #trustgod #daughteroftheking #walkbyfaith #beautyfromashes #graceupongrace #dailydevotional #faithjourney #jesuslover #faithblogger #godisgood #graceoverperfection #michiganblogger #biblescripture #catholicbible
thethinplace
thethinplace
•
Follow
The Book of Wisdom full of poetic principles and outlines how to live life well. Written around the time of the Maccabean revolt, it is written in the style of Solomon (and is sometimes referred to as “The Wisdom of Solomon”) but was written by later authors. While this book was not accepted in the Jewish cannon, it is in every copy of the Greek Septuagint but it was quote by St Augustine over 800 times and, most importantly, was declared Scripture at the Councils of Hippo and Carthage. It focuses on Wisdom guiding the lives of the faithful, the follies of the wicked, and focuses heavily on our future home with God and the life to come. For those of you familiar with the Nicene Creed, the Book of Wisdom is one of the sources of inspiration of our description of Jesus Christ. The reference to Christ being “Light from Light” is taken from Wisdom 7:26 which refers to Wisdom as being a “reflection of eternal light.” There are also several passages in Wisdom which foretell the death of Christ. One of my favorite passages is Wisdom 14:7, “Blessed is the wood by which righteousness comes,” which reminds me how truly blessed is the cross which held the Savior of the world, our perfect Sacrifice. Wisdom is very similar to the book of Proverbs in length and style. It points constantly to the Lord who, as James tells us, is ready to give wisdom to those who ask. #bibletime #biblereading #readyourbible #proverbs31woman #proverbs31 #womenintheword #savedbygrace #virtuouswoman #godlywoman #godsgirl #christianliving #butgod #givemejesus #trustgod #daughteroftheking #walkbyfaith #beautyfromashes #graceupongrace #dailydevotional #faithjourney #jesuslover #faithblogger #godisgood #graceoverperfection #michiganblogger #biblescripture #catholicbible
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/5
Until I read the entire Bible last year for the Bible in Lent challenge, I had never read most of the Deuterocanonical / Apocryphal books of the Bible. When I did this, I realized that, aside from a vague notion of Maccabees from Hanukkah books, I had absolutely no idea what the rest of the books contained.
For the next few days, we're going to do a little overview of each of these books in the Bible.
But first, why aren't these books in the Protestant Bible?
Like most of the divides in the Catholic and Protestant conversation, there is a lot of nuances. Luther’s own translation of the Bible included these books although he moved them to a separate section. They were also included in the King James Bible of 1611 and the Geneva Bible even though they were viewed as apocryphal or “outside of Scripture.” It was not standard even in Protestantism to exclude these books from the Bible printing until 1825. 
Essentially, there is a lot of historical evidence that the church throughout history considered these books a part of the Bible. But earlier in the Church, we see evidence of Church leaders such as St. Polycarp, St. Clement of Rome, Origen, St. Athanasius, St. Jerome, and St. Augustine,  affirming some or all of these books as Scripture.
It's clear that historically, believers have seen these books as beneficial so I hope you'll join me in looking at them this week!
#godsword #jesusislife #dailydevotion #shedelights #graceupongrace #godisfaithful #lordjesus #blessedisshe #biblestudy #trustinhim #catholicism #bible #jesuslove #christianposts #readyourbible #bibledaily #intheword #wordbeforeworld #bibleversedaily #gracemakers #christianwomenleaders #bibletruth #jesusisthereasonfortheseason #godlovesyou #prayerchangesthings #dailybibleverse #seekhim
thethinplace
thethinplace
•
Follow
Until I read the entire Bible last year for the Bible in Lent challenge, I had never read most of the Deuterocanonical / Apocryphal books of the Bible. When I did this, I realized that, aside from a vague notion of Maccabees from Hanukkah books, I had absolutely no idea what the rest of the books contained. For the next few days, we're going to do a little overview of each of these books in the Bible. But first, why aren't these books in the Protestant Bible? Like most of the divides in the Catholic and Protestant conversation, there is a lot of nuances. Luther’s own translation of the Bible included these books although he moved them to a separate section. They were also included in the King James Bible of 1611 and the Geneva Bible even though they were viewed as apocryphal or “outside of Scripture.” It was not standard even in Protestantism to exclude these books from the Bible printing until 1825. Essentially, there is a lot of historical evidence that the church throughout history considered these books a part of the Bible. But earlier in the Church, we see evidence of Church leaders such as St. Polycarp, St. Clement of Rome, Origen, St. Athanasius, St. Jerome, and St. Augustine, affirming some or all of these books as Scripture. It's clear that historically, believers have seen these books as beneficial so I hope you'll join me in looking at them this week! #godsword #jesusislife #dailydevotion #shedelights #graceupongrace #godisfaithful #lordjesus #blessedisshe #biblestudy #trustinhim #catholicism #bible #jesuslove #christianposts #readyourbible #bibledaily #intheword #wordbeforeworld #bibleversedaily #gracemakers #christianwomenleaders #bibletruth #jesusisthereasonfortheseason #godlovesyou #prayerchangesthings #dailybibleverse #seekhim
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/5
@thethinplace
Instagram did not return a 200.

Copyright Bailey Suzio 2022 Site Powered by Pix & Hue.