Change

"Change: 1.to make or become different in some way; 2.to put or take one thing in place of another; 3.to give or take one thing in return for another;"

We've all had times in our lives that we were afraid of change. We like things just the way they are. It's the way we've always done it. I've heard that before. Every new year we all try to "change" something about ourselves. By February we realize we haven't changed a bit.

The year 2009 has brought many changes to our country. There's been changes in the job market. There's a lot of talk about changing our health care policies. These and other events have brought changes to many families. Since the Presidential election of 2008, we aren't sure about change. What's going to change? How's it going to change? When is it going to change? Will it change me? Remember this last question..."Will it change me?"

I've lived almost 50 years. There's been a lot of changes in my life. My personal experiences has offered and sometimes forced me to change. My life verse is: I Corinthians 15:58; Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. I live with a purpose. I want my family and friends to know that I stayed true to my faith yesterday, today, and if I live 40 more years...that I stayed "stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding..."

I have benefited most in my trials when I've humbled myself at the feet of Jesus. And turn my cares over to Him. The more I fall as His feet the more I understand there's still room to be closer. I see how much I fail. I see how desperately wicked I really am.

My latest and current trial has been this car accident. When I wrecked on June 1, 2009 I thought I had died in the car. Through God's mercy my life was spared. God not only protected my in the crash itself, but also through the many doctors who did not or could not find what my source of pain was. This event hasn't only just pulled me to the feet of Jesus, but it has given me an eternal perspective I have never had before.

When my children were small. I wondered if I would ever talk with another adult again? Would I ever be able to influence another adult and have an impact in their lives for Christ? Now that 4 out my 5 children are either grown or almost grown I can look from the nose bleed section and see the past 28 years. I can see who the most important people were in my life. Those most important were my husband and 5 children, Chrystal, Brandon, Jamin, Brittnie, and Todd. Showing Christ to them should have been the most important thing I had ever done. I see that sometimes it wasn't. Sometimes cleaning the house was more important. Sometimes school was more important. Sometimes what other people thought was more important. Sometimes other adults were more important. And yes, sometimes even church was more important. I regret that.

I have one child still to raise, Todd. I want to finish with an eternal view. Because at the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is Heaven or Hell.

Change is uncomfortable. Change sometimes hurts. Mostly, change is scary. We are afraid of change. And as an Independent, Fundamental, Conservative, Baptist Believer...I put my robe of "I won't change!" on. Don't get me wrong, there are some things that we should never change. Thank God, He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank God there's only one way to Heaven, through Jesus. ("I am the way the Truth and the Life." But I'm nowhere like Jesus. I have a long way to go. And as long I am still living, I still need to change.

A few days ago I was asked to answer some questions for someones psychology class. The question was; "If I could do one thing to change the state of the world today what would I do?" Not a small task. Money can't be the answer. If it was then then $800 billion would have eliminated the crisis. The only way to change the "state of the world" is to change the "state of the mind and heart of mankind". Live more for others and less of ourselves. Give more to others and less to ourselves. Think more of others and less of ourselves. Pray more for others and less for ourselves.
Really only God can change the heart of man. And He will only do that if we humble ourselves at His feet. Will the events of today change me? God....I hope so.

Change: 1.to make or become different in some way; 2.to put or take one thing in place of another; 3.to give or take one thing in return for another;"

When trials come I don't want to run away from God. I want to run towards Him. Run like a small child when they fall and need comfort from their Mom. Only when I fall at His feet with my hands open leaving all my sin, and my care on Him can I be changed. Will my recent event change me? God....I hope so.