THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

December 8, 2021

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

Change is something that is guaranteed to each of us throughout life; but not something that many of us embrace. We encounter change of some kind on a consistent basis. Some things we may recognize; others we may not really classify it as change, but it is.

There are changes going on in nature all the time. Each season brings about many changes in temperatures, things blooming or dying back, etc. Weather patterns can often be a surprise and change suddenly. For example this past Sunday evening Jon and I were sitting in our living room when I got up to let our dog outside. I told Jon that there was lightning almost constant in the clouds and occasional thunder. All of a sudden, a storm hit and the wind was blowing so strong and rain pouring down. Jon and I looked out our front door to make sure Christmas decorations weren't being blown off the porch, and the wind force made it hard to open up the storm door. But it only lasted a short time, then settled into a gentle rain, before moving on.

Many times we've experienced a change in temperature from seemingly one hour to the next. It may be warm outside and we are without a jacket; then a cold front moves in and there is a sudden drop in temperature.

I've heard it (laughingly) said by pastors that if you want to move the piano from one side of the stage to the other, do it an inch at a time, to keep your congregation from noticing the sudden change.

Jon doesn't like it when I get a sudden urge to rearrange our living room furniture. He doesn't want to come home from work to find things different than they were when he left that morning. He told me to warn him ahead of time if I want to move furniture around, so that he can be prepared.

People pretty much like things staying the same, in all areas of their life, and don't like change.

For probably a couple years after we bought our car, the salesman kept calling asking if we wanted to upgrade to a new car and trade in the one we have. I told him that wasn't going to happen! My husband keeps a vehicle for 12-15 years, and we don't trade or upgrade vehicles until it's completely necessary.

Some changes happen that are more devastating, such as the death of a loved one; whether it be a spouse, child, parent, or sibling. It changes the dynamics of our life and our family. There is a void, especially at family gatherings, when that person is no longer with us.

Births can definitely change the lives of a young married couple. They find that when you have a baby to care for, it's not quite so easy to go out to eat or go shopping or have spontaneous dates, etc. Sleeping through the night, without a baby crying, and feeling sleep deprived and exhausted is a new norm for those first few months. Having children changes your decisions on when and where to vacation and how much extra money you have and so many different aspects of life.

Marriage is a big change for couples! Probably most people have an idea of what they think married life will be like; but are surprised and how many adjustments there truly are.

Going from being single and on our own for so many years and pretty much doing what we liked, when we liked, to marriage and adapting to how another person does things and their expectations, was a huge adjustment for Jon and myself. Sharing a home and a bank account and meals and life with another person takes compromises and forgiveness and mercy and love and understanding; and knowing when to walk away and keep your mouth shut!

Change! It's a vital part of each of our lives.

I am 56 years old now. There have been times when I've looked down at my arms and think, "When did my skin texture begin changing?!" Things sag that used to not sag! I'm getting wrinkles on top of my toes. Hair grows in places that it used to not grow, and shouldn't grow! I don't want chin or upper lip hair; or find a long hair growing off the side of my ear lobe!! That shouldn't be happening!!

For the next few weeks, leading up to Christmas, I'm going to be writing about this subject and not only how it affects us today, but how it has affected people since the beginning of time. This is nothing new! Adam and Eve experienced major changes when they disobeyed God in the garden. Their lives were never the same again. From there, throughout each and every generation, change has been inevitable.

Yet there is One who never changes! Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever!! (Hebrews 13:8) Whatever may happen in our life or where our journey takes us, we can always have faith and confidence in knowing that Jesus will not change! We can trust Him and His Word!!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

Before getting married, I never changed clothes when I got home from work. It took Loretta some work to convince me to try it. Honestly, I didn't really object to taking off my shoes, or even changing from jeans into shorts, but I didn't see the point in creating more laundry for a few hours of slightly more comfort. But now that I've gotten into that routine, I don't want to change back to not changing. And now, if I had to change into steel-toed boots for work, I typically change back as soon as I get to my truck.

After graduating from high school, I couldn't wait to change to college. I was a little nervous because I didn't know anyone in my major at college. But I knew everyone else would be the same. It was going to be a great change.

On the other hand, I knew some kids in high school were terrified of school ending. They didn't want their friends to move away. They didn't want to go to jobs where they didn't have all their long-term friends supporting them. They didn't want jobs. The change looked terrible.

The change from winter to spring means an end to skiing season for some, but means a chance for growth and planting for others.

A change, even the exact same change, can feel completely different depending on the perspective. Even in our own lives, we don't always have all the perspectives to understand every change. We can have faith that God does. He will be with us through each change, whether we see the good in it or not.

ON THE MENEWE:

Christmas Candy

Mix cereal, fruit, and nuts (you can add a bag or cranberry pecan salad toppers as well or in place of).

Melt white almond bark or white chocolate melting wafers; pour over other ingredients.

Chill and break into bite-sized chunks.

Store in airtight container.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

I love when Facebook memories pop up, because they often remind me of things that I had forgotten about. This past Sunday morning I had one come up from 4 years ago, when I was babysitting Jovie, who was age 3, almost 4, at the time. Hard to believe that the end of this month she will have her 8^th birthday!

The story is: Jovie had a little bottle of bubbles and she wanted me to open the lid so she could play with them. I asked her, "Does mama let you blow bubbles inside the house?" (I knew that she had to play with them outside, not inside.) Jovie: "Umm..... Yes!" I said, "I'm going to call her and ask." Jovie responded, "No! Don't do that! She will get grumpy with you!!"

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

God isn't asking you to figure it out.

He's asking you to trust that He already has. - unknown

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org