Change, Change, Change!

A few days ago a steam shovel appeared in the lot across from our house.  The next day it was used to knock down the large white barn and workshop which had been there since before we moved in.  Next came the surveyor and posts appeared all over the lot.  Next came the bull dozer.  Soon the workmen will arrive and before we know it four or five new houses will be squeezed into what used to be a nice open field.  Then, probably by next year, the new tenants - most likely college students - will begin to move in and life here will never be the same.  Our former neighbor and owner of the land would turn over in his grave if he knew what was happening to his property since his death. Change - you can't avoid it - all you can do is learn to adjust to it.

A few weeks ago I went for my haircut only to be told that my barber for over 40 years had just signed a lease for his barber shop and he plans to retire September 1.  I knew someday this would happen, but why not a few years from now?  Change, everywhere.  
     We've gone through it with our medical services.  When our wonderful family doctor was forced to retire with heart issues it was a major adjustment for us. He was like a member of our family and had taken such good care of us. Later we found another family doctor - this time a young man - but suddenly he had to close his practice because he was diagnosed with cancer and then later he passed away.  A year ago Dianne's favorite gastro specialist who had cared for her for over 20 years told us that he was unexpectedly moving into administration.  Change, change, change.

I know very little about repairing cars and for almost 20 years we had a local garage man who was so helpful, honest and reasonable.  We trusted him completely and he took such good care of us.  Then he retired and we have never found anyone since then like him. It was almost like a part of us had died. For 40 years we purchased every one of our cars from a friend of mine who owned a car dealership.  We would tell him what we needed and he would find it for us.  We never dickered over the price because he was fair right from the start.  A few years ago he sold the dealership.  Now I am ready to purchase again and have nobody I can trust to deal with.  And I shouldn't forget Pete who has done all of our additions and repairs to our house over the years.  He is preparing to retire and is now doing some work for the government, so he is no longer available for jobs.  Change, change, change.

Over the years we have also faced the loss of loved ones and friends.  Now you expect that parents and grandparents will pass on.  But you don't expect siblings and good friends who are the same age as you to be taken home.  And I really, really miss them.  These changes are almost the toughest to deal with, except for the fact that you know that someday you will be reunited with them.  But it is change.

When I think of all the changes we face I often think of the line from the hymn "Abide With Me".   "Change and decay in all around I see, oh Thou who changest not, abide with me."  What truth there is in that line.  And what a thrill to know that our faith is strong and secure because we serve one who doesn't change.  "Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same.  All may change, but Jesus never.  Glory to His Name!"  Yes, glory to His Name!