“A change is as good as a rest.”
Maybe.
And, maybe not.
I sit on the screened-in porch, attached to the quaint log cabin I rent. Those who know me well may find this picture amusing.
Things change.
Sounds of nature surround me. Sounds I would gladly describe had I a sweet clue what they were. Bugs, birds, and I’m thinking cicadas. I know this about cicadas because I read an article stating that after 17 years underground, this year, the cicadas are emerging in the south like the “undead from their graves.”1 Though why the undead would be in their graves, I do not know.
However, I’m no expert. For all I know, there may also be a dragon or two in the dell below me.
A baby squirrel pauses a moment on the wooden fence post in front of me while two others chase each other around one of the many thick pine trees towering majestically in the yard, and I smile.
The sound of traffic can be heard in the distance, and then, gunshots.
Now, not too long ago, a gunshot would have had me praying and hoping to hear sirens. These shots are simply a neighbor down the road having some target practice.
Things change.
Take, for example, the reusable Starbucks cup perched next to me on the little rustic table made of branches. The heart embossed container is filled with a homemade brew of coffee that I am thoroughly enjoying.
For sixty years, I loved the smell of coffee. It felt like home, comfort, and loving parents enjoying their morning together.
But the taste of coffee made my face do ugly things.
One friend did his best to convert me. When shame and teasing didn’t work, he ventured out to buy me a cup of java with two of my favorite flavors—chocolate and orange.
I really tried to like that coffee. But it was just disgusting. Albeit, not as disgusting as caviar. When I tasted caviar, I spit it out—in front of some very classy people.
Forever confirming that I, Melissa Dawn Baker, am not a classy people.
But, back to the coffee. It didn’t matter how dressed-up or disguised, it was rejected by my unrefined palate.
That is until I became desperate.
Things change.
I was only 5 hours into a 10-hour road trip and falling asleep. A grogginess I couldn’t shake enveloped me, and I fought to keep my eyes open.
The preceding weeks had been grueling. Here I was, just when the school year was starting to come together, leaving for two weeks. Trust me when I say that any teacher will seriously count the cost of taking time off during the school year. Laboring over lesson plans and then handing them to someone else who may or may not follow them is not a light decision.
But I was going to meet my newest grandchild, and this trip was well worth any cost.
Shaking my head to stay awake, I pulled into the next coffee shop I saw and ordered a large salted caramel latte with whipped cream.
Sometimes, a spoonful of sugar does help the medicine go down.
And hasn’t this year shown us that things change? We have ridden the waves of disbelief, fear, perplexity, and, well, let’s just admit it, frustration.
This change may very well be the most restless rest any of us have ever had.
We fight to keep our equilibrium, and find that it helps to fix our eyes on the unchangeable.
“For I am the LORD, I do not change.” Malachi 3:6a
And with that thought, we release the breath we didn’t realize we’d held.
God never changes.
And yet—He did.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory,” John 1:1, 14a (NKJV)
Elohim, the God of Creation, chose to become like us. We are not talking about Iron Man in the flesh or Captain America without cryonics.
He who was fully God became fully man.
Think about it, at some point, there was most likely flu and vomiting, headaches, indigestion, heartburn, sunburn, sprains and bruises in the life of our Savior.
He knew political unrest, wicked rulers, hypocritical spiritual leaders, jealous coworkers, controlling family, deceitful friends, an unreliable medical system, financial uncertainty, exhaustion, and unrelenting pressure from people.
And yet…despite His changing circumstances, He never changed.
He came with one goal in mind, and regardless of the change around Him, He never lost sight of His purpose.
Emmanuel, God with us, came to bring God glory by giving His life to save the world.
“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” John 12:27-28a
“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:” Hebrews 1:3
I wonder how much easier it would be to keep our balance if we never forgot our purpose.
Now, I say this next part with hesitation. Trust me, I do not suffer smug people gladly, so, if this sounds smug, please forgive me.
Then, keep reading
In spite of all its changes, this year has been good to me.
You see, several years ago, God taught me a straightforward lesson about the uncertainty of life that still brings rest to my soul.
I tell you now, in hopes that it will also bring you rest.
It was change—shattering, soul-crushing change that made this lesson necessary.
That’s how many days, give or take a few, that it took before I saw a possible future in front of me. God’s faithfulness and remembering one thing kept me going.
In spite of the changes, the hurt, and the uncertainty, all I had to do was get up every day and focus on my purpose.
“Even every one that is called by my name:for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” Isaiah 43:7
There it is. Glorify God.
I don’t have to change the world. I don’t have to have all the answers.
And neither do you.
I wonder about squirrels and cicadas,
steady but acceptable gunshots,
the mystery of coffee in my cup,
and a world turned upside-down.
Then, I rest in this truth— the God who never changes is in charge of all change.
All I have to do is glorify Him today.
Greetings !!
I was able to read your article with my cup of Java LOL 😂 Totally can relate and enjoyed every word! Hope you and all of yours are well 😘🙏🏽❤️ My husband Bill is presently working from home to keep his Mom safe as she has compromised breathing . It sure has been a year unlike any other we have known. I often reflect on what our Grandparents went through, and appreciate and Love them even more than I already did!!
Thank-You! And I hope to catch up on some of your other writings too.
Have a Happy & Joyful and Spectacular Day!!! Love ❤️ & Prayers 🙏🏽, Heather
PS: I absolutely Love ❤️ your screened in porch!! Enjoy !!!
Heather, so grateful for sons like Bill and daughters-in-law like you who take the time to help out our parents and grandparents. You’re right–they have been through so much and are examples for us to follow. Thank you for your note! May every extra moment that this time has given us, fill your heart with peace and joy.
Living through change.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Den
Praise the Lord, Dennis and Vickie! His grace is sufficient, even when we don’t feel or see it.
“I wonder how much easier it would be to keep our balance if we never forgot our purpose.” I love this! (Ps. 77:11-12 Remember, Meditate, and Talk! ) I love that the little squirrel posed for you. I love that you have FINALLY gotten wise to the glorious benefits of coffee. 🙂 I love that we don’t have to have all the answers. I love that you’re roaring.
I would love if you would come here one day and roar with me, my friend! I would even share my coffee with you and that man of your’s who tried so hard to get me to like it!
Wonderful thoughts, beautiful place, thanks for sharing your heart.