You may have seen her at a friend’s house, online, or in a store: a little nick-knack Willow Tree angel with wire wings attached behind arms that are lifted skyward. The manufacturer named her “Courage”, and the little tag around her neck which says just that still hangs on mine. 

“So Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. And he took the staff of God in his hand.” Exodus 4:20 NIV 

No, this little angel, whose wings fell off her back years ago, is not any sort of talisman or lucky charm. In a very small way she is to me like Moses’ rod, though. She was given to me before we left for our worker training and through every transition since, her arms have never drooped and “Courage” has always graced her neck. Just like God’s promises, she’s been a constant regardless of how un-constant my surroundings. 

God knew and still knows that transition and change in the work He’s given us IS hard. So, besides this physical reminder of God’s promises, what has helped me to breathe through the contractions of transition? 

• “…He knows that we are just dust.” Psalm 103:14 Human fragility is no surprise to God, and I shouldn’t be surprised by my fragility either. I don’t need to beat myself up when I forget my own toilet tissue or am especially tired after “just” going to get food at the market. Instead, I can humbly curl up with God and trust Him to be my strength. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 




• While God beckons me to His Body, transition makes me feel isolated. While I am not the only one who has gone through intense changes, my enemy wants me to think that I am alone. I can’t expect my team (nearby or distant) to know how I am doing unless I am willing to open up appropriately. 




• Transition is uncomfortable. Yes, I miss the familiar; and yes, I didn’t expect this when I signed up. Nevertheless, yes, He is with me; yes, He is enough; and yes, He is working for good. All of these statements are true. Tension in faith is a fact. God knows this and has even designed such tension for reasons I don’t completely understand. When I surrender to His sovereignty despite the strain, rest follows. (“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10) 




• Finally, transition will not last forever. This doesn’t mean I’ll never have wet eyes as I glance at my courageous little angel, but eventually, I will learn what to buy at the market. I may not feel completely settled in this world ever again, but His promises and courage are constantly with me as I await my forever home.