The Only Constant is Change

There are very few statements truer than this. Especially in our life. Each time we become comfortable with something a storm rolls in with the winds of change causing mass destruction. Suddenly we are forced to rebuild the things we worked diligently to build. The lesson I have learned from these storms was a slow lesson to learn but became clear over time- what we built was either poorly built or was just a temporary structure. 

Some of those rebuilds have been refreshing and welcomed, but others have been heart wrenching and felt like the end of the world, at times the process has been a mixed bag of what felt like pure insanity- as if an F5 tonado met Huricanne Katrina met Sharknado and decided to come visit our home for a while but within the choas were always moments that allowed us to see the pure side of humanity. 

In our storms the Lord reached his Hand down through the actions of others and restored my faith. Our storms were the tool at times to show the world that same thing. No storm (be it natural or personal) is without meaning and purpose. 

For the last couple of months the girls and I have been facing some demons from our past and not dancing in the rain very well. Privately we were drowning and no one knew it just how bad things were. I admit a few people knew a few things. No one has ever been aware of the full scope. I don't talk about everything with the few people I speak with daily even though at times I want to; One of the reasons I have failed to blog recently has been the urge to "spill my guts" writing is very therapeutic there is something to be said for how it feels when you"get it all out" but I also feel like it could invalidate some of the things that happen so often. 

When I close my eyes and say "God you know my need" and out of the blue I get an email from someone I have not heard from in months, and in this email they have words that are simple but perfect; I know this is God moving. I am reminded that He is there and is moving in my life as well as using my life to move others. There have been times I have received something in the mail and it was a need met, a need someone had no way of knowing was unmet.

Recently I read something about needs v/s Desires. I am always talking to my girls about that subject. It is important to know the difference between a need and a desire. Is it easy to define what a "basic" human need is? If you ask 10 people you are likely to get 10 different responses depending on who these people are. 

According to Maslow (in the 50's) there is a 5 stage model of basic needs.

1- Biological and Physiological Needs; this is - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep.

2- Safety Needs- security, order, law, stability, freedom from fear

3- Social Needs- belonging- affection and love; from work group family and friends, romantic relationships.

4-Esteme Needs-achievement, mastery, independence, status, prestige, self respect, respect from others. 

5- Self Actualization- realizing personal potential, self fulfillment, seeking personal growth. 

If we were in the nice simple times of the 50's and someone asked what basic needs were and how to met those basic needs what would you say? Is it correct to say that if you have food, shelter and clothing you have your needs met? Are human needs that simple? According to this psychologist, no, human needs are not that simple. We need love and affection, we seek recognition, and to recognize others. We must feel safe and secure. As humans we need each other. That was how God created us. Multiple times the Lord states in scripture that people need companionship. I wish I could recall the exact number of times, I want to quote 7, but I can not verify that at this moment. So anyone that wants to challenge me- please do.

Back to the Hierarchy of Needs; again, the only constant is change- so years later we have a few more "basic human needs" - now there are 7, or 8. Humans like to complicate things- even "basic" things.

The only constant is change. 

As the girls and I have been riding out this major storm we have taken a long hard look at what our actual needs are. Are all of our needs really met? no, but will we survive? yes.  There are evenings we sit on the sofa and talk about what it might look like on the other side of the storm. How we may breathe easy, what we might do. Its funny the things the girls want to do. Simple things. Its funny their desires are really needs; Not that they don't have typical frivolous desires (like designer jeans, and all the others things teens desire.)We are aware of our unmet needs and what our desires are.  Knowing the difference is important and keeping it in perspective is likely the most important part of this storm season.