Being Thankful in Seasons of Change
Today is a day to be thankful.
But it has been a year of many changes.
Some were planned, others were not.
Some were joyful, others were heartbreaking.
With multiple wedding invitations, I anticipated the joy of witnessing young couples transition into their new lives together.
A baby shower celebrating the arrival of a great niece brought double the joy as a marriage proposal ended the day in spectacular fashion.
A short family vacation to an NFL game filled my heart as my husband and I got to spend time with our busy adult children.
But the unexpected death of a family member was something no one expected.
The loss of several friends who succumbed to illness left my heart feeling heavy.
Missing loved ones who are no longer with us always makes me homesick during the holidays.
Ups and downs.
Light moments and dark moments.
Wouldn’t life be easier if, like getting an invitation or itinerary, we knew the time and day the changes would be coming our way?
But we cannot fully know what God has planned.
“Whenever I tried to become wise and learn what goes on in the world, I realized that you could stay awake night and day and never be able to understand what God is doing. However hard you try, you will never find out. The wise may claim to know, but they don’t.”
Ecclesiastes 8:6-7 GNT
Matthew Henry in his commentary on Ecclesiastes 8 says this: “God has, in wisdom, concealed from us the knowledge of future events, that we may be always ready for changes.”
God prepares us through His Word that changes will happen.
There is a time for everything.
“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 NIV
I confess that even though God shares this wisdom with us, I am often not ready for the changes that occur in life.
But knowing His promises helps me to be prepared to face them.
He is present.
“For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5 GNT
He is a safe place.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NIV
He offers comfort.
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3 NLT
He offers strength.
“Do not be afraid—I am with you!
I am your God—let nothing terrify you!
I will make you strong and help you;
I will protect you and save you.” Isaiah 41:10 GNT
He offers hope.
“Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3: 21-23 NIV
In addition to His promises, God gives us instruction.
He tells His children to give thanks in all things.
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5: 18 NLT
Friends, I do not know what changes have come your way this year.
Some may have been planned, others may have been unexpected.
But one thing we can trust is that God is unchanging.
He is ever present, offers us a safe place, gives us comfort, strength and hope.
And that is something to be thankful for today and everyday.
