You really didn't expect things to "stay the same" did you???

It is so cliche to say what I am about to say: "everything changes." Examples? Stop reading for just a minute and think of examples from your own life. Some changes are hard to figure: I used to skip breakfast altogether, and then I went through the oatmeal phase; right now I'm on a big toasted bagel with peanut butter kick. I used to hate (almost like in an unhealthy way) stores like Aldi, now I'm a regular there. When Starbuck's first came out I religiously avoided it; it has grown on me. My family (in my growing up years) was devoted (seriously--actual DEVOTION) to Coke products, "Miracle Whip," and Heinz Ketchup. Now? As long as it's not "Diet Rite"--who cares?

Some changes are funny. I remember the process from hating to loving the mini-van. I am so much cooler than min-vans. But sometimes you have to get the whole family someplace without squishing, sweating and scowling. I love our mini-van. I make it look cooler.

One day my children will grow up and move out of the house (this is the subject line of this entire post--feel free to read that again). I am certain that it will not be "like a band-aid--one pull, right off!" It will be a series of gradual movements that lead toward adulthood, responsibility, embracing their own faith in Christ and maturity. There is no way they are getting where I know they are going unless they go through learning about Christ, this world, themselves and Who they can truly trust. And there's no way they'll get there without regular, purposeful, attended-to GROWTH (read "change").

My world is changing. I have gone from everything in my son's life to significant. From sun to moon. And it's right.

I'm not leaving--and neither is he. But everything is changing. I really didn't expect things to stay the same, did I? Somewhere deep inside, I just wasn't quite ready. He has registered for classes, gone to his athletic code meeting, and had his schedule dictated to him by someone other than me. He has a physical scheduled and will soon walk through the halls of a new school with 1,600 other students. He'll travel on the bus to Cross Country meets and be coached by, well, somebody else. And it's right.

There's a bigger change coming in 2 years (he'll get his driver's license). Much more changes then. Then I won't have morning and evening drives to rehearse the details of the day and remind him one last time that I love him, or that he should trust God's Word. He'll back out of the driveway one day, and never think of "freedom" the same. And it's right.

I am trying to expect change. If life will eventually become physical death, I will gradually morph to it, through aches and pains and with lots of memories of the way things used to be. I may start running less miles or more slowly. Then I'll take up biking only and eventually become a swimmer (that's not a good sign). Once swimming is your only activity it's just a matter of time (I guess it's just a matter of time anyways).

If all of my days are invested in doing what I believe is right before God, and trusting him with my very life, then I refuse to lament about gray hairs and swimming. Change is the constant--and it's right.

To my son, I will seek to live a life that shouts to you: "follow me as I follow Christ," so that you may do the same to this generation and the next--without fear, and without expecting that things will not change. One day very soon your son will turn 14 and you'll wonder if you can go back or stop time. You cannot.

I do not want to stop time. I only seek to invest my every moment in what matters while expecting that nothing remains the same. And I'm happy to live this way--with my heart in heaven where there is no time, no "goodbyes" and no pain.

Things change; and it's good.