My husband does not always do well with change. He finds something he likes and he sticks with it… forever. When I finally decided to take down the 90’s fruit border in our kitchen, he was horrified! He caught me in the act and frantically asked if I thought we could find more just like it. When we planned to repaint the walls, he insisted on Navajo White because that was the color that the previous homeowners had used. And, don’t even get me started on the kitchen chairs!! But, I will admit sometimes that stability and loyalty can advantageous (i.e., his employment, our marriage..)
Change is inevitable. It might not happen often, nor do we always have to initiate it, but as a Greek philosopher once quoted, “Change is the only constant in life.” Good, bad, or ugly, there’s going to be change.
Like many of you, I’m reflecting on the past year as we bring in the new year. 2022 brought about many changes for our family; the year was a whirlwind of excitement! Some of the highlights included our oldest daughter getting married, my retirement and new employment, our middle daughter embarking on more independence in her career, and several trips with the best of friends.
While those moments created beautiful memories with lots of laughs and smiles and love, we’ve also had moments of tears and sadness, dealing with the diagnosis of serious sickness of loved ones, the difficult losses of some close to our hearts, and concerns of uncertain futures of friends and family.
While I usually don’t mind change, I do like to be content. I like being comfortable, and I like to know what to expect. Right now, while there are some things I am not sure of, I am not expecting a lot of change this year. I am ok with that. Living in a period of Navajo White sometimes sounds pretty good.
However, I realize a change could happen at any moment. A change for the better, or maybe not. Some of us are expecting some pretty big changes. Some of us are hoping for things to change. And, some of us don’t want things to change even though we know they will.
Wherever you are in the world of change, there is one thing you can be sure of:
God is already there. And, His plan in perfect.
In the anticipation of a wedding or a birth. God’s there.
In the apprehension of a doctor’s prognosis. God’s there.
In the anxiety of a new job or new school experience. God’s there.
In the joy of good news. God’s there.
In the stress of family conflict. God’s there.
In the uneasiness of the unknown. God’s there.
In the sadness of loss. God’s there.
In the day-to-day tension of all the things. God’s there.
So, as we set goals and make resolutions this week, know that God has already there. He has made a plan and is willing to meet us where we are. He will be there with us when we call on Him. He will walk with us, or even carry us. And as if that’s not enough, He has planned for us to receive His goodness through it all. Sometimes it’s easy to see God working and to receive that goodness. Sometimes it’s pretty foggy and we’re not sure how God’s working or if He is actually working. It can be hard to see His goodness through that fog. Knowing Him, trusting Him, and keeping Him near will help clear that fog as you walk through the changes that 2023 will bring.
There are a couple of things I do every day that help remind me of His presence in my life. I’d like to challenge you to consider any or all of these things if you are not already doing them.
- Read the Bible. Every day. You don’t have to start at the beginning. Just start somewhere; personally, I love James. You can download the YouVersion Bible app and follow any of those plans.
- Read a daily devotional. I just finished one by Anne Graham Lotz that was great! There are thousands out there. Specific ones for couples, for young adults, for grief, for anxiety…anything and everything. I think it helps to read these daily and reflect on how others are explaining and interpreting God’s word because even though I read the Bible every day, there are many things I read and don’t quite understand.
- Pray. All. The. Time. I don’t know how you can have a relationship with our Lord and Savior if you do not talk to Him. Share what’s on your mind and on your heart. Ask for Him to align your heart with His will. Thank Him for your blessings, for His grace and His mercies. I like to keep a prayer journal, and I have ‘scheduled’ times I pray each day. However, I feel like the more I pray, the more I find myself talking to Him all throughout the day.
Do you do any of these things? What are some other ways that help you as you walk with the Lord? What are you doing to allow the Spirit lead you into the new year? Are you ready for the changes this year will bring? Share with me!! As always, let me know if I can be praying for you…
Today, I pray that 2023 brings us all peace, love, and God’s goodness. I pray that we take His hand and let Him lead us into the new year and all the changes that we are ready for and the ones that come upon us expectedly. I pray that we can know Him more and that we can hear His voice, even when it’s a soft whisper reminding us that we are His. I pray that we can see Him working in our lives and that we can boldly follow Him as He does this work in us. Amen.
Happy New Year, friends!
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)