The Blessing of Change

"All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I just finished reading Don Piper's book called "90 Minutes in Heaven". It reminded me of the unexpected and often tragic changes which take over our lives unannounced. He died because of an horrendous traffic accident, went to heaven and then came back to life, he says, because of the prayers of others. Not only did he have many years of physical rehabilitation, but also spiritual questioning why God would allow him to taste the unspeakable joys of heaven and then make him come back to earth. It wasn't that he didn't love his family or his church, or appreciate the prayers of the faithful, it's just that he had a glimpse of eternity. The changes in his life from that time forward were profound. His suffering has allowed him to comfort others in ways he never imagined.

Don's experience has caused me to reflect on the changes I have encountered recently and the comfort which I have received in so many forms and from so many precious people.

January 6, 2006 marked a myriad of changes for my family. My father had a life-threatening rare illness which required sudden and longterm hospitalization and rehabilitation. My mother, who had been paralyzed and brain-damaged from a stroke 20 years earlier, had to be taken from her home that same day to live in an assisted living facility, for what we thought would be a short time until my dad recovered from pneumonia. She never came home again. Sounds terrible, doesn't it? It was. But in the midst of those changes, there are no words to describe the love and comfort we all felt during this time. Family members, friends, church family, and even strangers ministered to us in untold ways! God's Spirit was so evident in healing my dad. We still give Him all the glory for that. My mother, who had proven to be nearly indestructible in body and spirit, despite the severe stroke, developed an overwhelming case of Parkinson's, just as my dad was reviving. Neither she nor my dad made it to my beautiful daughter's wedding to her wonderful soul-mate, which was a heartbreak for us all. A change we weren't expecting. They had dreamed of and prayed for her future mate and wedding day, as her father and I had for many years. My mother died under tragic circumstances on September 8, 2006. But despite the threatening way she had to live, she embraced the change to death with a remarkable tranquility and strength. My father then had to accept the changes in his life and build a new one. Without the comforts of those who had endured similar tragedies, we wouldn't have made it. We thank God for the prayers, love, deeds of kindness, and time spent ministering to us all. The changes changed us... for the better.

This year my husband's parents have endured many changes. His father, who had been so strong, the rock of the family, who nursed his wife through numerous illnesses and treatments, began to change mentally and physically. They could no longer do all the things necessary for them to live independently. We have moved them from their home of 50some years to be closer to their other son and daughter-in-law. They have changed everything in their lives in the span of a couple of months and they are moving forward in faith that God will be with them during all the changes. Again, we have had the help of so many people from their hometown, as well as the new friends they are already making in their new location. My mother-in-law is learning how to assume the role of caretaker for her mate. An unexpected, pervasive change. But we know God and the love and comfort of others' prayers and service will see them through.

I also have the blessing of change concerning my children. My amazing daughter and her very talented husband will be moving across the world next year to work in and get to know the people of a new country. It is a change we knew was coming. We knew the desire of their hearts. It is not unwelcome. It is a change we embrace because we wouldn't have it any other way. We will be comforted by the Spirit and the prayers and support of our friends, just as He has promised.

My son will be sent to fight an increasingly complex war next year. He will be in harm's way. A change we do not desire, but we support. His dad and grandfathers have answered the same call. We applaud his courage, dedication and desire to protect and defend, for we have known for a long time that he is a patriot and a rare breed.

Neither of my children nor my son-in-law wants to seem rather than to be. They have the calling to embrace change. For their good and the good of others. I am learning from them.

Which brings me back to my title, that change is a blessing. All the changes I've encountered the past couple of years have made me more like God wants me to be. I still have a long way to go, but I'm more forgiving and loving. I want to show God's love to others so that they will come to know Him better, as I have. I want to comfort them through the changes and challenges in their lives, as He has comforted me.

For me, that's what it's all about. For the rest of my life, until I am able to drink in the wonders Don Piper described in heaven, with God's help, I will be a blessing to others who are in change. Each season of life comes with God-provided changes. Embrace them. No matter what your age, God will bless you and others because of you!

"Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this you were called, that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-9