Embracing Change

The month of May seems to blow in winds of change. School years and activities are coming to an end. There are piano, guitar, and dance recitals, as well as end of the year programs, graduations, and plays. Beloved teachers are left behind for new adventures. Summer plans are being laid and vacations are dreamed of. For some, change appears to broaden the horizon, yet for others, it may feel as though life is shrinking.

I remember when I taught second grade at Como Elementary, before my own children came along, how some of my students would be happy and ecstatic as the school year wound down. Some, however, were inevitably sad and tearful to realize that the joys, challenges, friends, and pleasures of that year were gone forever. Yearly, as I packed up my school room for summer, I would shed some tears for days and little lives never to be part of mine again. Then, I would head out the door elated for the days ahead. Change, both large and small, can certainly bring overpowering and/or conflicting emotions our way.

This May, we might be the student saying goodbye to beloved teachers and classmates, the parent sending our “baby” off to college, or the spouse saying, “farewell for now” to their beloved. We could be the engaged on the brink of building a life with our “other half”, the parent welcoming a new babe into our life and heart, or the adventurer moving across country for a new job or to begin college. Change can feel joyous, depressing, thrilling, and terrifying all at once; or it may deliver varying emotions from one hour to the next. We may possibly be in a calm season; nevertheless, one thing is certain - change will come.

As a child of God, I am comforted to know that in this constantly changing world,

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

His love for me never fails. His nearness is ever within. All of my springs of joy are found in Him. He tells me not to fear and that He is faithful.

The following scripture is a wonderful reminder to me, both in peaceful times and in those that try the soul:

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore, I will hope in Him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lamentations 3:21-26).

I personally allow myself to think on happy memories and good days past; however, I do not permit my mind to dwell on sad, never-again thoughts. There is far more joy to come in this life and beyond, as I walk with my Savior toward an eternity with Him and with my loved ones.

“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

Change often requires hard soul work on our part, including taking every thought captive. I love 2 Corinthians 10:3 in The Message translation:

"We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity."