Not too long ago I attended my nephew’s high school graduation.  It was an emotional day especially for my sister-in-law because this was her youngest son and the realization that he would soon be off to college was ever present.  A change will come across their household and his absence will be felt.  For the first time she and her husband will wear the title “Empty Nesters”

James Dobson described that morning when his last child left home for college by writing: “I felt the chilly breeze of change blowing through my home this morning.”

We have all felt that chilly breeze and the question is not “if” we will feel it but rather “when” will we feel it.  A constant in life is that change will happen.  It might come, like my nephew, in the form of graduating to a new school. For others it may come as a new job, a promotion, or a relocation.  It is possible that it could rear an ugly head when or if we suffer the loss of a job, health, or of someone we love.  At times we notice it as our relationships change with other people, possibly even our spouse.  Some people say, “Change is good.” but, it can be hard as well.  It might feel like a chilly breeze.

How good it is to know that we have a God who never changes.  The hymn writer put it this way: “O thou who changest not, abide with me.” (Henry F. Lyte, “Abide with Me”) We can live our lives assured that no matter what changes we may face in life we have a solid foundation to rest upon grounded in God’s love for us through His son Jesus.  Our life and our circumstances may change but our God will not.  He is a refuge to whom we can always turn and on whom we can rely.

At Lutheran Family Service, our counselors work with people who are experiencing the chilly breeze of change in their lives.  For some it may be anxiety or depression.  For others it could be difficulties in their relationships or infertility.  And for others it might be an unplanned pregnancy.  Whatever the cause, we want to walk with people who are experiencing hard times and be there for them just as God has been there for us. Reach out today.

Rev. Mick Wolfram, Lutheran Family Service Congregational Services