CHANGE! CHANGE! CHANGE!

My sister and her husband finally got moved last week! They left their log home of eleven years on ten acres in the countryside of Greenville. They sold every stick of furniture in said house including one horse, three dogs and two cats and moved to a townhouse a stone's throw from George Bush Turnpike in Garland. They are beside themselves. So excited to be closer to work and school, to have high speed internet connection (vs. dial-up, can anyone relate?) and no - read this NO - maintenance on the outside of their townhouse. No yard work, no painting, no repairs - PERIOD. They are also buying all NEW furniture and decor after 20 plus years of hunter-green-striped livingroom furniture and hand-me-downs. Oh my yes, they are thrilled to death.

Isn't it interesting how we bemoan change unless we are the ones who initiate it? How many times do we say we don't 'like' change? Yet that's really not true. It's change that we don't initiate that bothers us. Why is that? Oh yea, it's because we like to change things that 'we' think will make our lives better, easier, more comfortable, more convenient, etc. And how many times do we really know best?

So what we're really saying is we think we know better than God does what is best for us. "Please let us arrange the changes in our life God because YOU are making us uncomfortable."

Our country is in a MOST UNCOMFORTABLE period of change right now. Many reading this are hurting from unemployment, loss of income, illness or grief and the discomfort of those changes are real and they are painful. No denying it. Just like there is no denying that my sister's life is made better by the changes they have made. So change is not always a bad thing. It's just a different thing. And different requires change on our parts. Change of attitude and change of vision.

Growing older is a change that I am beginning to appreciate. Oh I don't appreciate the aches and pains, lack of strength and effects of gravity, but I do appreciate the wisdom that comes from living longer. I have lived long enough to know that God is faithful in my troubles. I have lived long enough to know that even the changes I didn't want, see or thought would kill me are used by Him for my good and His glory. I have lived long enough to know that He is more interested in my character than my happiness. I have lived long enough to know that He is molding me into the image of His Son and He uses my circumstances to accomplish that. I have lived long enough to know that this life is not all there is and I would be better served to prepare more for the next one than this one.

I'm really, really excited for my sister. I anticipate this move will make her life simpler and allow her more time to do the things she loves. I have the same prayer for you and me. Wherever you are today - it is a time of change that God is using to make you like Jesus. And that is a good change. The mold itself may be a painful one. The pruning tool may be sharp and cutting deep, but the result will be beautiful for He is the master gardener.