CHANGE

What does change mean?  For me change is many things.  Allow me to explain some of the little changes and big changes since the first of the year.  But, first I must say that if you know me at all, you know I do not like instant change or surprises.  I like to know what’s coming, pray about it and prepare for it if it is going to be a hard change and enjoy it if it will be a positive change.

Life doesn’t always happen that way in my neck of the woods.  An instant change happened about mid-way through January.  I hit a deer about half mile from our house.  It came down off the left wooded hill and was in front of me before I could even register in my mind it was there.  Thus, I found myself in a rental car for two weeks.  The very two weeks the snow storm and bad weather hit this area.  The rental car was driven only three times the whole two weeks.  It was a small change yet a big deal to me.

The second change was shortly after this and much harder.  Our beloved dog went missing on a Monday afternoon.  When he wasn’t back the next day we became concerned.  He was the community therapy dog.  Mostly he was a home body but at times he would stay different places overnight depending on who needed a friend for the night.  Everyone loved him.  It wasn’t that Buddy lived at our house, it was always said we live at Buddy’s house.  Then, on that Friday we found him on his favorite path, in the woods between our house and the neighbors.  He had died from an apparent heart attack.  Just two weeks earlier the vet had given him a clean bill of health.  Our friend and constant companion was gone after 13 years.  This was a major change in our lives!  We are still adjusting to this one.

This past week our son, Chad, came back from Ohio to begin a fresh start here in Virginia.  He is in the process of finding employment and has been working tirelessly in the yard as he loves landscaping.  It’s another big change for all of us to say the least.  Having had time to prepare and pray about this change, we have ask for God’s wisdom, direction and favor in the day to day happenings.

While one child comes home, another leaves.  Cheryl is on the road right now to Florida where God has already been gracious in His provision for her.  We are thankful for new opportunities for her but saying good-by for a time is always hard.  Today, I pray for her protection as she makes that long trip down the east coast. I pray God will clear a path before her and keep her alert and strong.

We have God to hold us altogether as a family even though far apart.  The children and grandchildren are all over the country – Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey, Virginia, South Carolina and now Florida!  That’s spreads us out pretty far as a family but God is as near as a prayer to anyone of us at any time.  He keeps us together in the palm of His hand through prayer.

Change!  Yes, changes in our lives are many right now but I am thankful that Jesus never changes.  His love and care for us never changes.  God is ever-present, all knowing and all powerful.  I can trust Him to be with those He has given me when they are very near or far away!

Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)

⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Psalm 16:5 (NLT)

⁵ Lord, You alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.

 Psalm 139: 1-6   (NLT)

¹ O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.
² You know when I sit down or stand up.
    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
³ You see me when I travel
    and when I rest at home.
    You know everything I do.
⁴ You know what I am going to say
    even before I say it, Lord.
⁵ You go before me and follow me.
    You place your hand of blessing on my head.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!

My God knows not only me in the way Psalm 139 describes His knowing me but He knows all of us this same way!  He is ever present with us! He never changes! He guards all that is mine! 

WHAT A MIGHTY AND AWESOME GOD WE HAVE!