{"id":2005,"date":"2025-05-22T15:32:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T20:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/livingyourbestlife60plus.com\/blog\/?p=2005"},"modified":"2025-05-22T15:33:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T20:33:12","slug":"closing-life-chapters-and-opening-new-ones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/livingyourbestlife60plus.com\/blog\/2025\/05\/22\/closing-life-chapters-and-opening-new-ones\/","title":{"rendered":"Closing Life Chapters and Opening New Ones"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Recently, my son announced the upcoming closure of his recording studio, which has been his passion and full-time job for almost ten years. Although he told me this was a possibility, I wasn\u2019t expecting the announcement to come so soon. In some ways, I\u2019m sad, but I know his decision is God-led, therefore, I believe God will open a new chapter that is even better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Responding to Closing Chapters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Earlier this year, our Minister of Music announced his retirement after 35 years of service to our church. I\u2019ve been a choir member since I was seventeen. His leaving feels a little like a death, yet he is acting on God\u2019s instruction and plan for him and his family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Obviously, for me, a big life chapter closed last year, with Jim\u2019s unexpected death. Once I navigated the initial shock, I knew I had a choice to make. I could let the closing of this life chapter cripple me, or I could look for God\u2019s provision and plan despite my grief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once, years ago, when I was facing major surgery, my mother called me in tears. I was impatient with her and told her the surgery was mine, not hers. She whispered, \u201cbut it feels like it\u2019s happening to me.\u201d I didn\u2019t understand what she was dealing with then, but I do now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When life chapters close for others, and their decision impacts us, even indirectly, it sometimes feels like it\u2019s ours. However, remember, it\u2019s about them, not about you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When God instructs you to close a life chapter, or closes one for you, be receptive. Although obedience and acceptance are often scary and uncertain, follow God\u2019s leadership, because He sees the big picture, while we see only snapshots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Seasonal Aspect of Life<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
So many aspects of life are seasonal in ways similar to nature. We have seasons of growth, seasons of joy and bounty, seasons of change, and dormant seasons. Life cycles come and go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Closing life chapters is difficult, sad even, but if you maintain the perspective that the unfolding of a new, better chapter is just around the corner, closing a current chapter isn\u2019t quite as hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Waiting for a New Chapter to Open<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When reading a riveting book, if the author has done a good job, when you come to the end of a chapter, the way the chapter closes spurs you on to read the next. That cliff-hanging chapter finish prompts a \u201ccan\u2019t-wait\u201d desire to move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, when a life chapter closes, although difficult, waiting and assessing rather than pushing for forward motion is advisable. Most of us have that innate drive to \u201cmake\u201d something happen rather than waiting patiently. Some level of anxiety is involved in the limbo-ness of waiting, but avoid rushing ahead. Eventually, the page turns and a new chapter unfolds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s All about Change<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Closing and opening life chapters are all about change, and most of us don\u2019t handle change well. The familiar is comfortable. The familiar allows us to coast, to some extent. But when life chapters close, we gear up for what\u2019s next. We ponder, assess, and pray. And if we are wise, we listen intently for God\u2019s voice and heed his direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are you in a season of transition? Is a life chapter closing for you or someone you love? Are you anxious about what is ahead? Trust God to open the door wide to the next chapter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor everything that happens in life<\/em>\u2014there is a season, a right time for everything under heaven\u201d (Ecclesiastes 3:1 VOICE).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, <\/em>and Writer\u2019s Digest.<\/em> Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well <\/em>(Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care <\/em>(Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide <\/em>(B&H Publishing Group).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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