Fall Changes

 

The leaves on the trees are changing colors now, and they are gorgeous!  I hate to see summer end, but I must say God decorates the autumn season quite nicely. 

When we were in Hobby Lobby Saturday, I saw a sign that said “Fall is proof that change can be beautiful.”  That is true, but it also stepped on my toes a little bit. 

Normally I don’t like change that much.  I accept it reluctantly.  I’m not talking about the changes in the seasons.  I am talking about changes in life. 

I don’t know why I am like this.  Some people thrive on change.  I’ve heard people say change helps you grow.  Maybe.  I guess it depends on what the change is. 

OK, let me back up a little bit.  Life events such as marriage, buying a new home, or having a new baby are all good changes.  They usually lead to many happy times. 

Other life altering changes are not so good.  Living with the loss of someone we love can be quite difficult.  It changes everything!  It even changes how holidays are celebrated. 

Losing our job, the loss of our own health, and losing our home are examples of other changes which can cause heartache.  And yet, God’s word says we are to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thess. 5:18). 

James goes so far as to say we are to “count it all joy” when we “meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2). 

I once met an older lady who lost her teenage daughter years before I met her.  She said she was angry about her loss for a long time; but she finally learned how to be thankful for the time she had with her daughter.  She was grateful for the joy her daughter brought when she was alive. 

I think this is what it means to be thankful in all circumstances.  It is not always easy to adopt this attitude, especially at first.  We will always miss those who’ve gone one before us. 

But with God’s help, it can be done.  He will give us the strength to do what we need to do.  Having our loved one with us for a while is far better than never having known them at all. 

When I used to say I was thankful for some good thing that happened, Dad would ask me – what would you do if it didn’t work out that way?  Now, I think I know why. 

Thanks Dad, for always reminding me God loves me more!

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful" (Colossians 3:15).  

Christ above all things - Robin