Home From College
It’s
been a few weeks now since my two younger children, Nathaniel and Joanna, have
been home from college. (Jonathan is yet away in Nicaragua.) So, once again, Kim and I are adjusting to having
a full house, even as they are making their adjustment to living back home with
their parents. We have had to adjust to the added shopping, cooking, and
cleaning, the juggling of cars, the conflicting and intertwining schedules. There is more waiting for the shower, the
wondering where all the food went, and at times the added noise. For their
part, they are adjusting to having their parents looking over their shoulders
and asking them where they are going and what time they will be home. (I know
it’s not always easy for them—but that’s what parents do!)
If
you know me at all, you know I am not complaining. I love having my kids home and I am more than
willing to make whatever adjustments are necessary. It’s just that every time they go back to
college, Kim and I have to adjust to living without them in the house. Each
time they come home from college, we have to readjust to them being with us. I guess
it’s just a normal part of life: parents adjusting to their growing children
and those same children adjusting to a new kind of relationship with their
parents.
If
you think about it, that’s just how life is: a constant series of changes
calling for us to constantly make adjustments. We are always facing changing
situations that require us to adjust our lives, our routines, our reactions,
our expectations. Our children grow-up;
our parents age. Our company moves; our position is dissolved. Friends move on; a loved one dies. We live in
an ever-changing world, thus the situations and circumstances of life that call
for us to make adjustments, is endless.
Yet,
I am reminded that in the midst of all the changes of life, the Bible speaks of
God as One “….who does not change like
shifting shadows.” (James 1:17 – NIV)
God says of himself, “I the Lord
do not change.” (Malachi 3:6—NIV) Thus, in the midst of all the changes
that life brings and all the adjustments we are forced to make, there is One
upon whom we can always rely, One who will always be there, One who will always
be the same. God is our constant in the midst of our ever-changing world.
I am
learning that in the midst of all the changes that continue to take place in my
life, the best thing I can do is lean upon our never-changing God. He is able to help me through the changes and
give me grace to make the necessary adjustments. I know the same will be true for you.
“Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 – NIV)
Have
a great day!
Pastor
Tim Harris
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