A NEW DIRECTION

CHANGES. Have you ever thought about changes in life and they affect you? Change is not easy and often circumstances in life bring about changes—changes that are not always comfortable. I have moved a lot throughout my life, mainly due to my husband’s work, and each time it wasn’t easy to leave old friends behind. Over the years we have moved eight times and each time it was hard and our emotions seemed to go from excitement, fear, joy, depression, and complete exhaustion. There is so much to do when you move—schedule the date of the move, sell your present home and search for a “new” home in the area where you will be living. You have to notify the post office where you live about your new change of address. Everything in the old house needs to be packed and loaded into a van. Then there is the actual trip and the process of getting unpacked. You have all those boxes that are covering most of the floor to sort through and put away. You have to be sure that your change of address has been given to the “new” post office. Other businesses and companies have to be notified about your new address. All those pesky bills that you would like to leave behind eventually find their way to your new home and things seem to be getting back to normal. It may take some time to unpack and put things away but somehow you manage to get settled in.

There are other changes that are just as difficult to work through in life. Around the age of 20-30 most people decide whether to stay single or to get married. Marriage means that two people must adapt to living with each other. There is the need for compromise and sensitivity towards your mate. There is the anticipation of looking forward to children or maybe the chance to further your career. Divorce occurs when the marriage falls apart for whatever reason. Both individuals have to learn to live alone and handle tasks that were once shared. The house “sounds” quieter and legal documents have to be filed. If there are children involved there is the issue of custody.

Sickness forces us to spend time alone being sure to take care of ourselves until our health returns. It sometimes takes us to the hospital where we depend on the doctors and nurses to help us recover. It can range from something as simple as a cold or the flu to something as complex as open heart surgery or cancer. A death in the family causes another change—learning to accept the fact that someone you really loved is gone. It may be due to an unexpected incident like an accident or the death may be a result of a long term sickness that lingered for a year or more. You have memories to cherish but there is no more face-to-face interaction with your loved one. Maybe for the first time you realize just how much you depended on the person who died.

Legal problems force us to look at another set of changes. Laws differ from state to state and documents have to be prepared for future reference. Copies of the mortgage, bill of sale, and listing personal property are just a few that have to be handled. Laws also force us to deal with justice—laws that are broken carry a punishment and those who break the law must deal with the consequences. Laws govern a major portion of our life and keepingup with them is considered your responsibility.

Financial problems also cause some type of change. An increase in salary is great but the added money means thinking about income tax as well as state and local taxes. Medical insurance and money for retirement have to be factored in as a way to distribute part of your salary. Bills must be paid but if the money is not there you will have to work with the various companies that need their money repaid. Bankruptcy completely depletes the individual who has faced difficult problems. Money is gone and wages can be garnished to help repay some debts. Do you file Chapter 7 or Chapter 11? How long does it stay on your record? Do I use a lawyer to help file paperwork, or do I try to work through everything by yourself.

Change is very much a part of our life today. With all the changes we have to face from day to day, it is comforting to read “For I am the Lord, I do not change.” (Malachi 3:6). When you are faced with change and feel overwhelmed, it is reassuring to know that God never changes. He is always there and He can help us through all the changes. Life is sometimes very hard and will test our patience. It will bring you to a point that you have to decide if trusting in the Lord is the best way to handle everything. Emotions can make the changes even harder especially if you are overtired or over-committed. Changes in our health help us to see that our human body is weak and needs to be taken care of.

Thank you God for always being there and for the promise that you do not change. My human capabilities have put me through numerous testings and trials. I realize that I can’t handle my problems and I accept that you are the one constant stable force in my life. With you at my side I can go through the changes and learn that the changes are for a reason, a reason that I may not see at first, but one that helps me to grow spiritually. I need to be ready to walk with you through life and let you guide me through the changes that challenge my growth.