I went to a break out group at a conference once about transitions. I came away with so many good truths from that meeting. The speaker said that many times in life during periods of transition, it's the intangible things we grieve the most. The intangibles are often symbolized by tangibles. For example you may miss a tangible thing like your house, but the intangible thing is a feeling of home and belonging. I had a moment that took me by surprise recently. I was prepping my emergency kit bag for work (gum, mints, deodorant, lint roller, etc.) when I went to what used to be my "always ready to go travel kit." For a while I travelled pretty regularly so instead of having to repack some of the same things every time, I just kept travel size deodorant, soap, toothpaste, etc. handy. While I was moving my deodorant from my travel kit to my work kit; I had a little moment. I realized how long it had been since I'd travelled anywhere. I realized the seasons really have changed in my life. It wasn't a sobbing hysterical moment, but just a brief awareness of life moving on.

I've also been spending some time reflecting over the past decade of my life (wow, that made me sound old, I mean oldER). It's been so encouraging to see how God has directed my steps and led me. Yes I've made mistakes but the overwhelming theme of God's faithfulness has been so rich. Elisabeth Elliot had a journal that she called "an omer of manna;" referencing the passage in Exodus where God instructed the Israelites to basically take a jar of the fluffy white stuff that had appeared on the ground for 40 years as their provision, and to keep this jar as a sign to show their children and grandchildren how God provided for them in the desert. I am no Elisabeth Elliot, but I sure have enjoyed reflecting on my "omer of manna" and how God has walked with me through desert times, doubting times, and abundant times. He really is good and faithful. I'm glad I have "memorial stones/omers of manna" to remind me of His character, especially as seasons change in my life.