In Fiddler on the Roof, life is built on tradition. Tevye, the main character, tells the audience in the opening scene, “Here in Anatevka we have traditions for everything…how to eat, how to sleep, even, how to wear clothes.” Tradition is credited for the balance that exists in their village.

As the music swells, the whole village joins in a joyful dance celebrating their life in Anatevka. Their song? “Tradition.”

Ah, but that is all about to change. Teyve is ambushed by transition. One complication after another arises in his well-ordered world until no balance remains. Everything he had held dear when we first met him has been replaced and he is facing overwhelming change.

It seems that “Transition” is the theme song for Tevye’s new life.

Most of us are like Tevye and his neighbors—we like stability and the familiar rituals of our lives. We thrive on tradition because it gives us a sense of control.

But things don’t stay the same for us. Questions arise for which we don’t have answers. We find ourselves in situations we neither wanted nor expected. The car breaks down. We lose our job. We move to a new place. The kids grow up and leave home. People get sick. Aging takes a toll on our bodies. A pandemic sweeps the world and we find ourselves social distancing.

We, like Tevye, prefer our predictable lives, our comforts, our sense of control. But inevitably, transition ambushes us, and it is usually difficult. Even good transition—and there is plenty of that in life—requires work, adjustment, and patience.

Maybe you have already guessed that we will be talking about transition this month. To get the conversation started, I have asked three questions at the end of this blog post. I’d love to have you respond to any of the questions, either in the comment section below or on our Salt & Pepper Facebook page. I look forward to hearing what you have to share.

Questions
1. What is a transition you have faced in the past or you are facing now?
2. What is something you have learned during a time of transition?
3. Is there a Scripture that has become especially meaningful to you during a transition? Please share it with us.

Ginger