Life changes

And then.....it's funny how life changes. It's never static. We are creatures who love and hate the changes of life all at the same time. It creates real problems for us as life passes....we face changes we can't control, but must deal with. That reality is most evident to our culture today as the economy changes, people lose their jobs, marriages implode and everything is shaken. We have a new "and then" in our lives. Joye's mom just moved down to live with us. It's a very difficult life change for her. Like so many coming to the last decades of life she is thinking through the loss of her independence and choices. It's hard. We begin our adult lives with great plans and hopes "and then" something happens, a change comes, a job ends, a relationship is over, and our lives change. There's always an "and then" waiting for us around the next corner. For those who think they have their lives settled and finances in order there will be an "and then" that will change their plans. Nothing is sure here. Everything in our lives is constantly changing. The only sure thing is our relationship with God and our hope ahead. In this live "and then" is our constant companion. Let me encourage you with a slight rewrite of James words from his book:
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James 1:2-5 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when "and then" moments come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it.
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