From Genesis to Now: Change

Dear Christa—

With a baby that doesn’t sleep through the night and a toddler who’s kind of lost his schedule, Joy just refers to herself as “sleepless in Seattle.”

The Army packed up Joel’s stuff in December and sent him off to South Korea in January just when Kim was scheduled to do her student teaching.

Over a cup of coffee, Shane and Brian decided to close their business.

And, I’m looking into sophomore eyes and digging into books that I haven’t read for 11 years.

Life is somewhat like the weather in Colorado. We had a late start at school on Thursday, and I’m hanging clothes on the line this breezy Saturday afternoon. Life is full of changes. Some are expected and exciting. Some come at terrible times. And some we wish with all our hearts had never happened at all. But, they do. That is the way of time.

So, for the changes of this year, this moment, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Change demands adjustment. Adjustment takes time. 

I think just knowing that the adjustment will come by and by can give the encouragement to plod right along.

Feelings are fickle. Feelings can be controlled. 

We often don’t control our circumstances, but we can control the perspective we take on them. Sometimes God leads to places we don’t understand. It is so easy to get discouraged. Our pastor of years ago used to say, “Don’t doubt in the dark what God showed you in the light.” I’ve never forgotten that…even when it felt hard.

There’s a friend that “sticks closer than a brother.” Stick yourself to her. 

Change is always easier when we don’t do it alone. Everyone needs a little support now and then. Sometimes we give it. Sometimes we need it.

The one thing that doesn’t change is God.

As Eve lifted that fateful fruit to her lips, with one small swallow, all the world changed. It changed forever. The ground was cursed and they were driven away.

Yet, God did not change. He made a way for mankind. He’s the same today as when He walked in the cool of the evening with Adam and Eve, making a way to walk and commune with us both night and day.