God never changes - Mary Beth

Change. It seems to me that this is something people are always looking for. An election was won a couple of years ago on the promise of change. Throughout our lives, there is a natural process of change. We go from being a child in our parents’ home to going off on our own, getting married, and then having children of our own. As parents, our world seems to constantly change. Time passes by so quickly, from the time that little bundle of joy enters our lives to when they begin to make that transition into adulthood and the cycle of change continues.

Being a Christian from a young age, the one constant that has never changed in my life is God. I know that whatever life throws at me, He is always there. I might change and get off course and life might get a little crazy, but God never changes. His grace is always sufficient. His promises are always the same, but it is up to me to accept them.

God always makes a way when things in life change…when the unexpected happens. Rusty and I had a full-term stillborn little girl sixteen years ago (Kelcie Marie). That was an unexpected change in our lives. Kristian was two at the time, and the nursery was ready for the new baby. Everything seemed fine, even up to the time we arrived at the hospital. When they could not find a heartbeat, our hearts sank. It was so unexpected. Something nobody plans for. Even though we were praying it would still turn out okay, in my heart, I knew that she had already gone home. So many people were angry with God. A lot of “whys” and “why didn’t He keep this from happening.”

I can honestly say that I was never angry with God. I didn’t understand what had happened, but for me the ONLY thing that got me through was that I knew that God did NOT cause this and that HE would take this bad thing and make it good. He was my constant throughout all of this. He spoke to my heart in that hospital bed, and told me we would have another baby girl. One year and one month later, we were blessed with Emma Elizabeth. One great thing that came out of this is that God has been able to use me to help those going through the same thing. No…God did not cause me to lose a baby so I could help someone else, but He did take our loss and turn it into something great. We know we will see Kelcie again someday, and that is a wonderful promise.

After we had lost Kelcie, and then became pregnant with Emma, I had to trust God every day with his promise of peace and "thinking on these things".  I had many opportunities to cast down thoughts that came my way and really practice thinking on good things (Phil 4:4-9). The song "I Surrender All" kind of became a theme song for me during that time.  It got to the point that I knew I would not be able to go through nine months of pregnancy wondering all the time how it was going to turn out.  That song helped remind me to give it all to Him and surrender every doubt and care. 

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. ⁵Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ⁸Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ⁹Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 (KJV)

Another thing we are currently facing is that Rusty, was laid off from his job in Des Moines, IA. He has been commuting to Kentucky for almost three years. That was an unexpected change. A lot of people think we should move, and again, many people are angry with God. For us, knowing that God has not changed and that we can lean on Him in whatever life throws at us, we know we will survive. We may not always understand why we go through things. We certainly live in a fallen world and bad things happen. Thank God He has made the way for us in every situation.

In a world that is constantly changing, whether it is the economy, the morality, the weather, etc., find comfort and peace in knowing that God never changes!

Our relationship with God is secure knowing that He is good and faithful, do you have a testimony to share of His goodness in your life?  Please leave a comment and encourage others!

- Mary Beth

Rusty and I just celebrated our twentieth wedding anniversary this year!  Woohoo!   We have been blessed with two incredible kids.  Kristian just celebrated his eighteenth birthday and Emma will be fifteen soon. We just started our seventh year of homeschooling.  My main interest (as like most moms) is my family.  God has blessed me with the opportunity to be an at-home mom (a blessing I don’t take lightly).  Rusty commutes to Kentucky and tries to make it home every other weekend (he was laid off from his job in Des Moines, IA three years ago).  Although it is not the best situation, we are thankful. My favorite pastime is anything we can do together as a family. I also love to scrapbook and make cards when time allows.

Read a variety perspectives on relationship with God.