The photo of us with five of our grandchildren popped up in my Facebook memories this morning. It was taken at a friend’s wedding at the lake, and the camera captured our little ones in the toddler stage.
But what breaks my heart is how fast all of our precious grandchildren are growing up. Anna and Jack are getting tall and losing that little kid look. Ava just graduated from kindergarten, and the twins from preschool. And only four years have passed since that photo.
Nolan was born three years ago, completing our pack of six grandbabies. Each moment of their lives has been precious to me. There have been so many times when I’ve whispered, “God, could we freeze-frame them right now?” because it was impossible to imagine that they’d ever be any cuter, any more lovable.
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I’ve also come to realize that I don’t like change. I love putting down deep roots. But change is inevitable—and it’s how we respond to it that can make a big difference.
Many times, God sends change into our lives—through job upheavals, health situations, family changes and new dreams He places on our hearts. We can gripe and complain, we can quiver in fear, or we can choose to embrace those moments with joy or with the question, “God, what do You want me to learn from this situation?” when we encounter those bumpy moments.
I’m so grateful that even though we go through those moments of change, we have one truth we can hold on to: God never changes. The same God who was faithful to all of those who came before us will be faithful to us as well.
He sends those changes into our lives for a reason. Just as I’ve discovered with my precious grandchildren, I would have missed so many wonderful moments if God had answered my “freeze-frame them” prayer. And if I’d missed the changes that He had for me, I would have missed some of the biggest blessings in my life.
Are you in the middle of a season of change? Just know that the God who never changes will be with you for every step of the way.
Father, when changes come, help me to be willing to accept the plans that You have for me. Help me to see the blessings—even in the difficult days. Show me what You want me to learn from each situation and give me joy in each moment, so that others will see You in my life. Amen.
