Change has been the theme of my life in the last year. I have not welcomed all of it, but I have certainly tried to embrace the changes that have been put before me. I wanted to share with you some of the things God has taught me during all of the changes I have faced over the last several months.
First, life is short.
I always knew this, but losing my Mom to gastric cancer in September 2009 was a real reminder that we are here for a season. James 4:14b NLT says, “For your life is like the morning fog—It’s here a little while, then it’s gone.”
This picture was taken of Mom and I in June 2009, while on vacation in Charleston, SC. I had no idea she would pass away three months later.
Life is short no matter how many years we live. I may live twenty more years, two more years, two days or two hours but what matters most is how I choose to live the remaining time that I have left.
Here is what I am trying to do:
- Live for God Daily-For me, this means beginning my day in God’s word and spending time in prayer. Going through this last year I could not have made it without this.
- Take One Day at a Time-I learned this while Mom was sick to take one day at a time and to not worry about what the next day or even the next week held. This was crucial for me to be able to get through that season of my life and I continue to practice it now. Worrying about tomorrow does not help me at all and most of the time the things I worry about never come to fruition.
- Measure My Life Daily-Am I giving my best to God? Am I seeking Him, serving Him and loving Him to the best of my ability?
Second, change is inevitable.
As hard as it is, life is always changing. This past year, I have moved to a new city, bought a new home, began a new ministry with my husband, met new people, started a new job, lost my Mom to gastric cancer, moved my Father in with us, sold my parents home, watched my daughter fall in love, get engaged and marry.
Life is full of changes. But thankfully Jesus does not change. Hebrews 13:8 NIV says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
In a world that is constantly changing, I am so thankful that I serve a God that does not change. He always loves, always forgives and always keeps His promises.
Third, not only is change inevitable but change changes us.
I am not the same person I was before my Mom passed away. I have changed and I will never be the same. But that isn’t always a bad thing. I read in a book that you can go through change or grow through change. I’m choosing to grow. I want to come out on the other side closer to Christ than I was a year ago. Philippians 3:10 NIV says, “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” As painful as change can sometimes be, I want to cling to His word and know Him better. I want to look more like Christ every day!
By Cyndi Spivey, Walking in His Grace
Leave a Comment
Kristen@Moms Sharpening Moms says
Cyndi, I love the timeless truths you’ve shared here today. I especially love your advice about taking things one day at a time. Even though I’m a military wife accustomed to change, I’ve been known to borrow trouble concerning unknown futures. You remind me God has it all covered and I can rest in His constant arms regardless of swirling changes! Thank you!
Jennifer@ Live Art.fully says
Cyndi, I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing wtih us what you are learing. I love that concept of “Growing through Change” vs. “Going through Change.”
Marilyn says
I would not trade for anything the lessons I’ve learned from loss. I didn’t ask for those losses and if I could undo them, I would, but since I can’t, the lessons are held close. You have written well. Thank you for taking them to heart and for sharing them.
Holley Gerth says
Cyndi, thanks for sharing from this hard place and helping us with our hurts too. Yes, whatever the New Year holds we know Who will hold us.
P.s. For anyone who’s had a loss, http://www.griefshare.org is a great resource that has helped me personally.
Kathy says
Thank you Cyndi for the wisdom and reminders in your message. Today is my Dad’s birthday, he has been with the Lord for 11 years now, and of course I still miss him. Lord, help us to learn to live in today and seek your face. Amen.
Erin says
Cyndi, I needed to hear this today, in this moment, thank you. I’m battling some fears about potential changes. Notice I said “potential”. I am focusing on what may happen and it’s distracting me from what blessings today holds. And, I needed to be reminded that in Him is all the security I need.
I’m so sorry for your loss, your mother sounds like an amazing woman who touched each life she knew. Thank you for sharing with us today.
Lord bless you,
Erin
Beth Williams says
Cyndi,
I, too, lost my mother in August 2009. For me, though, it was a blessing as she had battled dementia, sundowners, and alzheimer’s for about 3 years and was in ill health.
Thanks for sharing the words of wisdom that came straight from your heart. Loss and change is never easy, but rest assured God is always there for us.
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
I lost my mom too, and it’s amazing how much it can rock your world and remind you how fragile the life is we are given. Praying you see grace through the storm and have a library of memories to enjoy!
~Lisa-Jo
Melynda says
Thank you for sharing and for growing through your change and loss. I, too, lost my mother in 2010 from a lengthy illness. And my word for this year is change. So I am choosing to grow through change with my heart focused on the Ultimate Family Reunion and by embracing each day knowing that God will never change, leave, or disappoint me. Bless you!
deidra says
Cyndi-
This is such a timely message for me. My dear, dear friend received a heart transplant yesterday and for the past twenty-four hours my own heart has been lingering over this idea of change. I keep thinking about the family who lost someone so that my friend can live. And naturally, that makes me consider anew this God who gave up His Son so that I could live again.
This ebb and flow of change in our lives…. yes we can GO through or GROW through.
Thanks for this post! My prayers are with you as you press through this season in your life.
Richella @ Imparting Grace says
Amen, Cyndi! I especially like your last sentence: “I want to look more like Christ every day!” Me, too! I like the way Dallas Willard puts it: that we’re apprentices to Jesus, and as we live and GROW we’ll become more like Him. Thank God for change!
Heathahlee says
“I am not the same person I was before my Mom passed away. I have changed and I will never be the same. But that isn’t always a bad thing.”
I want the changes that have happened over the last 6 months to grow me in Christ, not take me away from Him. I also want to teach my son (who was greatly affected by my mom’s death) how to grow in Christ through this, too. We had a talk about it the other day, which happened to be the day he started reading the <iJesus Calling book for kids we got at Relevant. He told me later that the devotion that day was exactly what he needed. I love the way the Father works! ; )
Reese says
“Go through Change or Grow through change……” I love this, Cyndi. Your words grew me, today.
Thank you!
xo, and prayers,
Reese
Cha Cha says
Beautiful, change is hard and I am so blessed to have people like you around to model it done with grace. God is good. You are a blessing
Cha Cha