Why is change so darned difficult? I mean really, you just get the hang of things, you've got a nice life flow, a nice 'system' in place and then BAM! - it's time to change....again!
I work for a podiatrist, a very good one I might add, and a wonderful Christian man. In fact, this is my second time around working for this fabulous doctor and for the life of me I don't know why I decided the grass was greener on the other side, but, well....I digress.
For the time that he's been in the area he has been an independent practitioner with a good, solid but not overwhelming, patient base. There are three employees plus the doctor in our little office family. Things have been going nicely, the practice is growing, word-of-mouth brings many people to seek his care and we (the staff) have been openly praised for our compassionate and skilled care. We rarely, if ever, run behind schedule and we pride ourselves on maintaining this high quality environment.
As of March 1, we have merged into a medical 'group'. We are still us, just part of a larger entity that will be bring greater benefit to the employees and unity to the multiple physicians in taking on Medicare and other insurance companies. So needless to say, big changes are underway and like a lot of people, I don't particularly care for change.
A good friend of mine recently suggested we eliminate the word change from our thinking and suggested instead the word transform or transformation. Hearing this particular word, for me, brought a sense of peace and seemed to ease the stress just a bit. It just didn't seem so hard to transform. Transformation seems more gradual, something we can ease into gently. I like it. I think I'll keep it.
So today while working on some of the various transformations taking place in the office, I tried to imagine myself in the caterpillar-coccoon-butterfly image. In the past, in my caterpillar stage, I roamed aimlessly (well, it seemed thath way sometimes) through a job or jobs. I tested this, nibbled on that, and tried different things; always looking for that one thing that was right for me in a place that was right for me.
When I landed in my current position (for the second time) I reached my coccoon stage. A very comfortable, warm and cozy, safe place. I am good at what I do, I love our patients, I love my boss and I have great friends through my work. A comfy coccoon indeed.
And then I went to a spiritual retreat in the spring of 2010 and that is when the coccoon started to crack. I suddenly felt pulled, called and drawn to be something more. I was being called to transform somehow. I imagine that this is about the time that the discussions began for forming the medical group. I began a two-year journey of spiritual development, I accepted calls to serve on the council at church, I have been filled with the Holy Spirit and launched into learning what the Lord thinks I need in order to equip me to fulfill my duties in His kingdom.
Today at the office, my mind was being overwhelmed by the information and the details of what this new transformation in my work world will entail. I wonder how God is calling us - the doctor and the staff, to serve differently, better and in harmony with others who also share the call to care for God's people. I have to keep reminding myself that we are transforming ourselves into what He calls us to be. He is calling us to break out, be bold and be transformed into something beautiful.
My personal and professional wings are beginning to emerge like the first flowers of spring bursting through the cold ground. The transformation into butterfly has started in ernest. The days ahead are filled with uncertainty but one thing is clear: God is walking the journey right beside us and He will be there as I/we spread our wings and take flight and move out to transform the world.
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