October 1, 2026
I will have to admit that I am not a cold weather fan. I love the warmth of summer, and I cannot stand to be cold. Figuring out his time of year is hard because it is cold in the morning and then warm in the afternoon. The weather actually changes during the day.
I was thinking about changes this week. Change is hard, but change is necessary. Just like we need the change of seasons, there are also changes all throughout our lives. The definition of change is "make something or someone different" or "to alter or modify."
I think about how my life changed when at 18 years old I became a believer. That change was not hard, but it was necessary. It was necessary for me to change, to be different, and modify my life as I stepped out and followed Jesus. I look back and see so many things that God has protected me from or just walked with me through. I don't know how in the world I would have done this life without the change that God brought about in me.
I also think about how my life changed when I got married at 19 years old. That was a change that Wayne and I went through together. We both changed for each other. We altered our ways and modified our lives to change and make each other better. I really think we grew up together. Marriage is not always easy. You have to work at those changes. You have to learn to consider the other person and try and serve them to the best of your ability. It is basically learning to change our way of thinking. But after 47 years of marriage, I would still choose him and change anything for him every time.
For a detailed person who likes a plan, the changes in life are not easy. God has really taught me to trust Him during these changes. We have had so many unplanned changes in our 47 years of marriage.
Your faith can be tested during change. We have a special needs adult child, and I will say the first 20 years of her life were extremely difficult and hard to figure out. Her needs changed many times per day. It was a change that our entire family had to adjust to because it involved everyone. The truth is, she has changed our lives in an amazing way. She says some of the funniest things. She makes us laugh. She has taught me to be more compassionate for others. She has made me appreciate the small things that she accomplishes as a win. She has taught me how to be a strong advocate. She has taught me patience. She has helped me see that God's mercies are new every day.
The changes might be challenging, but they are rewarding. What I have learned from this life is that there will always be change, but there is always one constant who will never change - our Heavenly Father. Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Isaiah 40:8 says, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."
Life changes, but God and His Word will never change. Seasons change. We change. Life changes. God remains the same!
My encouragement for today is to embrace the changes in life. They might just be your biggest blessings. Learn to lean on and trust the One who is undeniably unchangeable - God! He will always be your warm blanket on cold days!
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Jill Johnson finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother, and Georgian. Jill is retired from the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.
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