Nothing Lasts...

Dear Family,

There is one constant in this world: change. As information continues to become available, at rates beyond our comprehension, the world around us continues to change. The migration from "hometowns" to where jobs are proves that life has changed. Fifty years ago, after the children were raised, most stayed close to home. But as the recent trend, specifically Ohio, illustrates, children aren't staying home. Though the population of Ohio grew from 2007-2008, by nearly 8269, that number represents new births and foreign immigrants, the statistics for migration prove that adults are leaving Ohio, by a rate of nearly 40,000 in that year alone.

Why? Some might be for retirement, we are a mobile people, we can go to any part of the country or world, within a 24 hour plane ride, so we have more freedom to move as we need to. Jobs are a key issue. Ohio focused its economy, for so many years, in the industrial sector, those jobs have moved elsewhere as GM, NCR, and many more illustrate. The jobs are no longer here. They are in India, China, Mexico, or states that offer better tax breaks. Needless to say, the jobs leaving creates a need for young families to follow the jobs. No jobs. No families. It adds to the migration as well.

Why all this talk about migration from Ohio? Because whether we want it to or not, change comes. As life evolves from our birth to our death, change continues to occur. I bring it up, because we have choices to make as change comes to us. We can embrace this change as a reality, as part and parcel of what it means to be human, as a stage in our evolution as humans, or we can bury our heads in the sands, denying the change, refusing to accept what is inevitable. One breeds peace. The other choice brings turmoil. Which one do you think we should choose?

How does this connect to Genesis 23? Well in this chapter, Abraham and his household are facing change, real change. For the first time, since we have joined Abraham on his journey, real, painful, difficult change has come to him. Sarah has died. His partner gone. His soul-mate no longer walking with him. The mother of the promise no longer gets to see the pride of her life: Isaac become the man he soon will be. This change could have crippled Abraham. But it didn't.

He chose to honor her. He chose to give her a place of eternal rest, one which will be the home for all of his family, that honors her story and her legacy. He recognizes that this was inevitable, and he has to continue living. He decides, though not easily, to make a positive outcome out of which was a painful experience. He proves, by his faithfulness to her story and her legacy that good can come from what appears as total darkness.

Psalm 30 reminds us when talking about God's anger/wrath and our pain, David writes, "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." (Italics added) Whatever momentary struggles, trials, difficulties, growing pains, or mourning we may be engulfed in, no matter how dark it seems, we have a promise, from God, and Annie, that the sun will come out tomorrow. We can bet our bottom dollar. That tomorrow, no matter how far off tomorrow may be, there will be sun.

We can face the changes that life brings, if we have our eyes focused on God, just like Abe did. He wept over Sarah. He had plenty of reasons to do so, she had been beside him through many seasons. They shared an amazing journey. He was justified in weeping. But Abe also realized that he must continue going on, must continue living, must continuing honor God, and the best way to do that is to live a life of praise. A life which knows that though our darkness be great now; praise comes with the morning. And the morning always comes on time.

Change is coming to us, in many different forms, and we can lament these changes, or we can trust that God is in control of every facet of our lives together. If God cares for the birds of the air, the grass in the fields, the flowing streams, and the changing seasons, won't He care for us too? Aren't we more valuable to God, who created us in His image, who breathed His breath into us, who sent His only Son to die for us, who walks with us even now, won't He care for our every need? I think so. No. I know so. And knowing that grants me the peace to embrace the changes that come in this life, because I know the author of change is behind the changes that come our way.

He is the God of the universe, and He is the God of the atom. Nothing that exists stands outside His control or His presence. Nothing happens without His knowledge. He is in control, brothers and sisters, and we can have peace knowing, like Abe, that even the most grevious change in our lives can be used to glorify the Creator of all things. So. Will you join me in this journey of highs and lows, valleys and mountaintops, and of joys and sorrows? I hope so. Because though i know God is in control of my life and the change, it is so much more enjoyable to go through these life cycles with family. Amen..

Shalom,
jerry