I started watching the first season of Downton Abbey on Netflix. If you’re not familiar with the show, you can read more about it here: Downton Abbey.
While watching a scene with Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes, I paused to write down something Mr. Carson told Mrs. Hughes. He said, “What would be the point of living if we didn’t let life change us?”
His words of wisdom struck a cord with me, especially since I marked 2013 as my Year of Freedom.
Let’s face it–all of us have faced life-changing events in our lives. Whether it’s changing our relationship status, losing or gaining family members, new employment, or even dreams coming true. Those events prevent us from remaining stagnant.
Imagine if life didn’t change. Imagine if we woke up at the same time every morning, wore the same outfit, ate the same breakfast, styled our hair the same way, went to the same job…yawn, just writing that sentence is boring.
Change is so necessary to embrace the blessings God has in store for us.
I have friends who are resistent to change. One hesitates to try new foods. Another resists visiting new places.
Often, fear is a reason why many are afraid of change–fear of the unknown. And I totally get that.
Before Thanksgiving, I did some devotional reading and came across a verse in Psalms 112:7-8 that reads, “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.”
That verse struck a cord. You see, I struggle with bad news, especially when things are going so well. I guess you can say I can be an optimistic pessimist at times. When things are going so well, a tiny thought in the back of my mind wonders when the good will come to an end.
I can’t live my life in a bubble, hoping and praying nothing bad happens.
All of our life events–even the bad ones–change and shape us into the people we are today. God can use those dark times to shine His Light. When our hearts are steadfast and we put our trust in Him, He will guide us during those life-changing events.
After all, life happens with or without our consent. I encourage you to find freedom in living–freedom to face the future with boldness and courage, freedom to trust, freedom to embrace God’s blessings without fear, freedom to change.
Your Turn: Are you a Downton Abbey fan? Do you have a favorite character? How has life changed you? How do you face the future?
I love Downton! And I admit I couldn’t wait to watch season 3 with the US, so I watched it with the Brits! (Is that PC? Brits?) Anyway, I like Miss Patmore. She’s gruff, but inside a mush-ball and I love her wisdom. It comes in small doses but at the right times. But really, I just love them all for so many reasons! 🙂
Miss Patmore is so mean to Daisy, blaming her for her own mistakes. I’m not even finished with season one yet, so I’ll look forward to learning more about Miss Patmore. How did you watch it with the Brits?
I adore Downton Abbey!! Like Jess, I went ahead and watched Season 3. Favorite character? Definitely Maggie Smith. I’ll admit to having a bit of a crush on Matthew Crawley, too, even if he is a little droll at times. 🙂
Maggie Smith is fabulous. I was first introduced to her in the Harry Potter series. Seeing her in Downton Abbey…wow, she’s amazing. I’m not crushing on Matthew Crawley, but I do admit Mr. Bates’ gentlemanly manners are swoon-worthy.
Love DA! Love that quote and how you applied it here. I love Matthew…he’s a lawyer, after all (as is my husband, ha). I like that he’ll do the right thing even if it’s difficult and isn’t exactly what he wants.
Ooooo, I love Downton Abbey and I was so excited about the start of the new season last night! I have to say that Maggie Smith makes me laugh. She is so dry and funny! I do like Cora (the mother). She is gentle and can look at the good side of things.
Great post, Lisa. I used to hate change, but God has worked on me through the last few years and I can go with the flow. God is my strength and joy through whatever life brings.
I’m a sporadic watcher, and I have my mom fill me in on all the missing plot points! Terrible, aren’t I? 🙂
I like the dad. He’s a very imperfect person, but he wants to do the right thing. I can relate to that.
Also, I think Downton Abbey could use more hot guys. I know that’s not the right thing to say, but would it kill them to add a stable-boy or someone who occasionally loses his shirt in a rainstorm?
I am intrigued with Mr. Bates although I haven’t watched Downton Abbey yet (just watched scenes) for the same reason I won’t read a Nicholas Sparks book because the characters I care about die. Maybe after Mr. Bates is set free, I’ll watch it. 😉
What a great post, Lisa. You’re right. So many of life’s changes are beyond my control. What I can control is how I respond to those changes. I find that, after the initial emotional ride, I usually turn to God and ask for the ability to see it through His eyes so I can respond well to it.
Okay (hangs her head), I confess I have yet to watch DA. I know. Don’t laugh or gasp too hard. I’m out of the television habit. I do want to watch it some time, though, because I keep hearing how amazing it it.
Thanks for this post today, Lisa.
I’ve heard great things about DA but haven’t tuned in yet. (I did get the first season of NCIS for Christmas as my hubby is a new fan.)
I come from a long line of worriers, so even when things were going well, I always waited for the shoe to drop. However, when tragedy struck and the worse thing I could imagine happened, I slowly learned to to live free of worry. It’s amazing to live in freedom after a lifetime of fear.