Freedom to Change

How appropriate that our CWO theme this month is change. As the leaves begin to turn and the air takes on a cooler complexion, it’s clear that seasonal change is upon us. Yet, these weather changes are reasonably predictable. After all, as boomer babes we’ve seen several decades of climate changes—right? We know what’s coming down the pike.

However, it is life changes that I’d like to talk about today. The changes that often take us by surprise, the changes we can’t predict. The changes we survive only through fervent prayer and by the sheer grace of God.

This past week I received two complimentary books in the mail from two different publicists. Publicists often send me things to share with my fellow boomer babes. A benefit of writing this column, mind you, which I appreciate (and love) very much! Receiving both of these books at this particular time seemed more than a coincidence—since they both focus on change.

Staging Your Comeback – A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45
By Christopher Hopkins, The Makeover Guy

and

Starting from Scratch When You’re Single Again
By Sharon M. Knudson and Mary Fran Heitzman

Both books address the topic of change in two very different ways. The first encourages us to look at our outer appearance and to assess what needs changing. Not a bad thing to do at any age, but particularly important when we’re over fifty and still wearing little plastic butterfly barrettes in our hair. (After getting rid of said barrettes, I also cleaned out my closet, dressing table, and jewelry box.) This was a very good exercise and I must say the book opened my eyes to things I never considered concerning my body type and coloring. As the season changes, I look forward to changing my style as well. I’m ready. How about you?

As for the second book, the changes it addresses are far more serious—far more life transforming than any closet culling. Starting from Scratch When You’re Single Again carries the voices of twenty-three women who have, through divorce or death of a loved one, survived a horrific blow to their dreams of happiness and security. Their experiences resound with the message that you can get through the grief, and not only survive; but also thrive.

Filled with page after page of hope and healing—the authors discuss change in a way that any boomer babe who is experiencing this time in life will more than appreciate. Run, don’t walk to your bookstore if your journey of change has taken this unexpected path.

I’d like to leave you with a guiding principle directly from the book. For any boomer babe who is going through the painful change of starting over again, take heed. God will always make a way where there seems to be no way.

“Choose your fear and conquer it. Walk through your pain, and you will eventually see the other side. If you step out in faith, you will overcome the very thing that paralyzes you. If you don’t, you can get stuck in your past and forfeit your future.

Remember this: God designed us to overcome, and the God we cling to is our only strength. Surrender your fear of failing to Him, and let Him take you across your hurdles. It is not about trust.”

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
—Hebrews 10:35-36

If more than seasonal change is in the air for you, trust what Scripture teaches us in Jeremiah 31:3-4

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt.

Until next month, dear Boomer Babes who Rock, may the good Lord bless and keep you all!

©2008, Allison Bottke
www.AllisonBottke.com

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