Recently my sister and I reminisced about how, when we were kids, we believed things would always be the same. The same pastor would be in the pulpit; the same church ladies would host the November Ladies Aid meeting at the same house as the year before; the same mail carrier, Watkins salesman or propane delivery man would come to the farm and lend excitement to our days. Drs. Wolfe, Fellows and Corey would continue their medical, optician and dental practices as they had since before our births. Lack of change comforted me then and still comforts me now. Perhaps that is genetic. My dad was born, lived and died within five miles of the homes of all his grandparents.
The myth of changelessness didn’t survive childhood. Change is a constant in life, but a change I choose is usually more pleasant than one forced upon me. A slip on ice a couple months ago brought six weeks in an elbow brace and left me unable to drive. Both my dentist and eye doctor announced this week that they are leaving their practices. Those changes are not pleasant. Choosing to add a new devotional book to my daily routine during Lent is pleasant, even when the message is challenging. Changing the look of my dining table—by sorting and filing the papers that have buried it as I prepare to pay taxes—will be another pleasant change.
How do you relate to change in your life? Is it an irritation or is it a chance for renewal?
Trying to get a more pleasant outlook on unexpected and inconvenient changes, I hold on to Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Relying on Jesus brings comfort and stability no matter what changes in our lives.
Phyllis Rude, a churchwide executive board members, faces change from Anchorage, Alaska where she lives. She provided the photo that accompanies this blog post.
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