Some Things Change

Gratitude Year 4-Day 141: Today, I am grateful some things change.  

"I knew who I was this morning, but I've changed a few times since then. -Lewis Carroll

Change is a constant presence in our lives, in our world and in on our journey. Alice's adventures in Wonderland certainly bring her to a place of accepting that her present moment seems stranger than fiction...but sometimes, life is just that. 

"You can't make this stuff up" moments happen. The good...the bad...and the ugly. There are, also, wonderful moments of wild abandon...like the moment children (and teachers) know that school is out for the summer. 

With every tick-tock of the clock...life is moving forward. It goes pretty fast. We can find ourselves breathless trying to keep up. There is special kind of joy that comes from learning to simply live fully in the moment... embracing what is present and very real. Children are full of it. Carroll indicates that we lose our muchness when we grow up. Carroll certainly makes a valid point.  

One of my favorite Pablo Picasso quotes is this:'Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.' I am still embracing the lesson I have been exploring from Genesis 1 & 2 that shows a God that by His creative hand... to the tempo of His own clock...created us "in His image". I can't think about "change" without being reminded that we were created to create. 

Some were born to create beautiful landscapes. I think some stay in the Midwest because it offers an ever-changing  season. Summer, fall, winter and spring have their own unique beauty and color palette.  Landscape designers...those who plant garden, flowers or trees...they all paint a picture with the things they create. Others enjoy keeping it skillfully manicured... another creative gift. 

Our babies change and grow up. Mine did. They still need us... but not in the same ways. They, too, find their canvas and their medium. For one...it is the endless possibilities of the computer age...for other it is polymer and other interesting materials used in fabrication. Both use science. Both are art. Both will find perpetual change in their workplace and in their art. Yes... change is certain.

Perhaps...that is why "I, the Lord, do not change." is such a comforting promise. Look at the rest of the verse:

“For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.-Malachi 3:6 

The world is in a constant state of change... but we are not consumed. "Save as" reminders of his presence, power and love." 

Things are going to keep changing, but there can be joy. For the Israelite's who heard the word of God...the very word that they had neglected, forgotten or boldly ignored... they were breaking down in grief and sorrow when face to face with their sins and failure to obey the God who had preserved, protected and saved them over and over again. Nehemiah offers this wonderful balm to their grieved souls: 

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” - Nehemiah 8:10 

His grace is new every morning.  Every day brings changes. Some will be celebrated and others will find us shedding a tear. The joy of the Lord is our strength. The strength of the Lord is our joy. There is salvation for a repentant heart. There is celebration at the birth...or the anniversary of a birth. There is hope for the one whose body is sick or simply old. 

for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;  -2 Timothy 2:9-11 

That sums it all up.  Change can be hard...change can be amazing...and there is a day of change coming. That we can count on.  So much wonder wrapped in words of hope. We can hold on to our childlike wonder.  Our "muchiness" can remain intact as we lift our eyes and put our hope in Him. 

Today, I am grateful some things change.