Christian Living

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Change is defined as the process or condition of alteration, modification, transformation; it is defined as the replacing of one thing for another-something different.

The most welcomed change is the transformation of your life when you are born again into the family of God. Old things pass away and all things become new. Your life is never the same as it was before you discovered the truth of Jesus. This is a wonderful thing.

It's all the other changes in life that are so difficult to deal with. Change is inevitable. Just when you think you've got things under control and running smoothly at last--WHAM!--life throws you another challenge, another problem to face. You can't avoid it. Each day brings its own newness, its own possibilities, its own sorrows.

I am one of those 'rut' lovers. I like the ruts, the routines, the usual flow of life. I don't do well with change. I don't gracefully accept the unexpected. I fight it, kicking and screaming all the way, until I am shown that I must accept it. It would seem that I am doomed because things are bound to change in everyone's life, and some changes are necessary.

When we moved into our house thirteen years ago, we were blessed by the world's best neighbors. They were an elderly couple with grown children, and they lived right next door to us. My youngest son Dusty was just a baby then, but as soon as he could toddle, he toddled right over to the Mayberry's house, where he was welcomed with open arms and a steady supply of cookies. The Mayberry's kept these cookies in a special spot just for him.

Mr. Mayberry told me one day, obviously greatly amused, that Dusty came through the door as usual and went to the cookie spot. The cookies weren't there.

"Where are my cookies?" Dusty demanded with his little hands on his hips.

"We haven't been to the store yet," Mr. Mayberry explained, waving towards the fruit bowl in the center of the table. "Have some of this fruit instead."

Dusty huffed and puffed and said, "Well, I don't want any old fruit. If you don't have my cookies, then I'm going home!". He flounced out the door.

The two of them were great entertainment for each other. Mr. Mayberry died a few years later, and this past January, Mrs. Mayberry followed. I always felt kind of bad for them because they had to live next door to us. We are a noisy, messy bunch. The dog barks at every leaf that blows through the yard, the cats were constantly at the Mayberry's door, begging for stray food, kids steadily stream through the yard, music playing, guitar being practiced on the deck, cars in and out. Whew! I don't know how they stood it but they reassured us that they loved it. And us.

Their house is on the market. I pulled into my driveway recently and saw a young couple standing in what will forever, to us at least, be known as the Mayberry's yard, talking to the real estate broker. My heart sank. In resentment. I felt like they were intruders who didn't belong. I don't want new neighbors. I want my old neighbors back. I want things to remain constant, I want people I love to live forever, or at least until I'm gone and don't know any different.

This is selfish of me. Change isn't necessarily a bad thing, and very often it turns out to be a wonderful thing. I need an attitude adjustment. I need to unclench my fists from the familiar, the known, and embrace more of the unknown with a more willing and graceful spirit. I need to remind myself that the one and only unchangeable fact of life is God, and learn how to roll with the punches. Go with the flow as long as it doesn't interfere with my relationship with Him.

It's such a hard thing for me to do. I envy people who easily adapt to different situations and challenges. I'd like to be more like that--maybe life wouldn't be quite as hard if I could be like that.

God, thank you for the blessing of Mr. and Mrs. Mayberry. Bless also my new neighbors, whoever they may be. Give them peace and happiness in their new home, and let them know they are among friends as they make new changes in their own lives.

Help us all accept the changes in life, with grace.

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