Change!

We can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8:28

In the very small town in which our family lived when we were growing up, it was possible to walk almost anywhere to get whatever was needed. The streets were quiet, and it was even possible for kids to play almost anywhere safely.

There were a variety of characters who resided there, and we even had cows at a house down the street. One of my favorite ladies was Miss Mary Emma Coachman, or as Daddy called her,”Miss Maemmie!” She lived down the block from us, and she rose every morning around 4:30 to milk her cows.

From this fresh milk, she made cream, buttermilk, and on Saturday, she churned butter. Mama had a standing order for her butter, and I picked it up every Saturday.

When daylight savings time became permanent, I asked her one Saturday how that change affected her and milking the cows. She was quick to reply, “Cows don’t have a clock They don’t tell time, and they don’t recognize the time change. I don’t change my clocks. I milk at the same time every day.”

There is much debate over the “time change” that we experience every fall and spring, but it just keeps on coming, and it inevitably disrupts our lives for weeks until we adjust! This past weekend the inevitable time change occurred, and we are in the midst of the adjustment.

Change is an inevitable part of life, even though many of us fight it. We encounter change in our relationships, careers, and even within ourselves. The world around us constantly bombards us with the need to change something in our lives. It can be anything from our weight to our hair style, our habits to our beliefs, even our lifestyle.

No matter how hard many of us fight it, change is a powerful force that moves us forward. Without change, there would be no evolution, innovation, or opportunity. I love the quote that says, “Nothing is permanent but change.” When we think about it that way, we are much more capable of adapting to it than we might think!

Change can bring us both opportunities for growth and renewal. Although it can be painful, it is essential for learning, progresing and becoming a better version of ourselves. Experts suggest that the key to navigating change is to focus on building the new rather that fighting for the old, and adapting our attitude rather than resisting what we cannot change.

Sometimes changes can be tough in our every day life. The story is told of a man who dialed the wrong number and received this message: “I am not available right now, but thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life right now. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return your call, you are one of the changes.”

Jesus speaks of change as a repentance and reorientation of ones life toward God. This change involves an inner change of the mind and heart which leads to a new way of living that is not self centered. Jesus called for His followers not to conform to things of this world, but rather to be transformed or changed by their faith. This process involves following Him and changing or abandoning the old way of life.

Change is seen as a lifelong journey of maturing in faith and not a one time event. The Serenity Prayer is a well known prayer used in 12 step programs and by people seeking solace. It expresses the best way to handle change.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.

As we deal with the inevitable changes in our lives, may God lead us to handle each of them as He would have us to do.