Things change. God does not.

I used to have such a sweet baby face. I'm not bragging. I was cuter than a speckled pup. Well, take a look and see what you think. I was about two years old here.

Time and age has a way of changing things. Bodies and facial features change and battle the effects of age and gravity. I am no longer this little tyke in the fetching plaid trousers. In fact, this picture has some elements I would like to highlight.

No longer present is the slight pear tree right behind me. Disease and rot overtook it a while back. The two thorny quinch bushes are still there and still in need of pruning. Mom tried to kill them countless times and they prevailed. Even though you can not see behind those bushes, there are a few buildings today that weren't there in 1962. To the upper right of the picture was our pigpen and yard in which the hogs wandered about. Those rascals could always figure out how to root underneath the woven wire and make nuisances of themselves. I will never forget the day I was playing under the front porch and looked out to see a big sow hog walking by. I was frightened to say the least.

In so many ways, my heart softens when I think of yesteryear. Things were simpler. Life was not easy but it was still good. This blog was generated by a time of looking through old photos and it certainly conjured up memories that had been deposited in a part of my mind that does not get much visitation. Last night was one of those moments to pause and remember all that has changed over the years.

This morning I am considering my God who never changes. While humanity continues to change and rewrite the norms that God first designed, it becomes more obvious that our human race needs to reclaim the source of our existence. I am strengthened by the scriptures that speak of God's unchanging character and presence.

"When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:13-20, NIV)

My deeply offered prayer for you this day is that you might pause and look in the rearview mirror to a time past. Measure all the changes that have occurred and value each movement of time as being held in the very hand of God. The one who has journeyed with us has not changed and never will and for that truth I am eternally grateful. You should be as well.