One thing that we can always be certain of, in an uncertain world, is that life changes.  Sometimes it changes swiftly, sometimes slowly but it is always changing.

I’m looking out my window and see change.  The once green reeds blowing in the wind on our hillside are turning yellow.  I see Goldenrod between the fronds from the tall grasses that edge the side of my house.  There are pops of color especially red sparkling in the sunshine on tree branches.   The hues in the foliage dotting the landscape are turning different shades of gold, my summer flowers are fading and my mums are starting to bud.

I’m writing today but haven’t been doing much of that lately, because I’ve had migraines.  They often intensify while sitting in front of my computer screen so I’ve had to put the screen down on my laptop.  I tried to string sentences together in my mind, write them out with pen and journal but I needed rest more than I needed to write.

This is a change.  I’ve never had migraines.

A friend of mine asked how she could pray for me today.  Before I could share about how I’d like her to pray for Bob, she said “For YOU!  How can I pray for YOU?”

Bob has been at the top of my prayer list and he has been in many of your prayers too.  He is handling his chemo medication well and the markers for the leukemia are decreasing in his blood.  God is answering our prayers.

Bob’s illness was a big change.  We’ve had to make adjustments in our life, we’ve learned a new medical language with our visits to his Hematologist/Oncologist and this will be on-going for the rest of his life.

So when I’m asked how someone can pray for me, I immediately ask for continued prayers for Bob.

Getting back to my friend’s question…I finally shared with her that I’ve experienced migraines lately and haven’t been able to write much.

Relief has come and I’m able to write again.  I’m thankful for my friend, Sherry, for asking about me and for her prayers.

Yes, things change.

I see it when I visit my parents.  It seems like yesterday that they were young, raising 6 children and we were all a big lively family doing life together.  Now they are in their mid and late 80’s and all their children have children and some of us have grandchildren and great-grandchildren of our own.

A year and a half ago my 57-year-old brother passed away, unexpectedly, in my parents’ home.  That was a big change and an adjustment for his family and especially his children.  I know my parents have felt the intense pain of it at a different level from most of us.  Yet they are strong in their faith, know he is with God and when they have a hard day they hold fast to that truth.  The God who is taking care of my brother is taking care of them too.

Friends have moved to other cities, new friends have come into our lives, Family and friends have gotten ill–some seriously and some have gone home to be with the Lord.

Time marches on and change is inevitable.

I glance at my reflection in the window as I gaze out at the ever-changing landscape.  What happened to the young woman I once was?  What happened to that young woman raising kids, going to their sporting events, parent teacher conferences, and making dinner for more than two people everyday?  Where have the years gone?

My husband and I have a quiet home.  It’s just the two of us.  It’s a different time, a different phase of life.

As the season is changing out my window, our lives have seasons too.  Change is hard.  Maybe it’s from wisdom that comes with age, but change isn’t as scary as it was when I was younger.  Or maybe it’s because of God’s grace.  Looking back at how he’s seen me through so many changes already gives me confidence that he’ll be there through whatever lies ahead.

In this season of my life, instead of thinking that life is passing me by, I lean into each new day and grab hold of it right where I am.  I grab hold of it knowing that tomorrow may never come.  Someday I will close my eyes here on earth one last time and open them in the holy presence of the Lord in Heaven.

Leaning into each new day and grabbing hold of it doesn’t mean that I find some new adventure or experience to wrap my life up in.  To me it’s as simple as finding something to give thanks to God for everyday.

It’s harvest time and the new apple crop is in.  I think I’ll lean into it and make an apple crisp soon.  Thinking about filling my home with the scents of fall…apples baking, cinnamon, pumpkin pie, harvest spiced candles is a comforting thought.  There’s always some element of joy in the midst of every season.  I want to see everything through kingdom eyes, lean into it, grab a hold of it and find joy.

Seasons have come, seasons have gone, change will come slowly or swiftly but change will come.  We can be certain of that.

But there’s also one more thing that we can always be certain about.  God never changes.  In the middle of our uncertain world and a life of constant change, he is immovable.  He is a solid rock and a firm foundation and he’s never surprised by change…whether it comes slowly or swiftly, it never surprises him.  It’s under his control and he has everything in control.

Before I can fully lean into each new day, find joy, and be thankful in it, I need to make sure I’m leaning in God’s direction first.  As I lean into and on him, he keeps me steady so I’m not tossed about by the ever-changing circumstances of life.

Written by:  Nancy Janiga ©2014