Change

The words of Mother Teresa of Avila linger in my mind this month:
"Let nothing disturb thee;
Let nothing dismay thee:
All thing pass;
God never changes.
Patience attains
All that it strives for.
He who has God
Finds he lacks nothing:
God alone suffices."
Such wisdom, spoken so simply, yet the living out of these words requires great faith.  Lord, there are several people who sit in my heart as I reflect on change.  Some are dealing with change due to loss of a loved one or a relationship change.  Others are moving or looking forward into coming life changes. Some of us are left behind.  Whether it is good change, happy change, or sad change, it involves letting go, and that involves stress for us.  Looking into the unknown of the future is scary.  Father God, change is hard for us!  I pray that for each of us, the freshness of your spirit, the encouragement of your closeness to us, and your deep love will sustain us.  You invite us to cry out to you, "Abba! Father!" Then we wait. "We hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words." We wait and hope with confidence. "And, God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, wo are called according to his purpose." And, Father, for this we give thanks!  We praise you and we glorify you.  We trust you, and rest in this trust.  You alone satisfy the needs of our hearts.  You seal our future. Thank you, Father!
(Scriptures from Romans 8:15-28)