A Good Word Wednesday #12

Good Words of Encouragement, Hope, and Help for you Today

Word of the Week: CHANGE

Change is in the air. Fall is here. It’s still been warm in southwest Oklahoma, but that doesn’t keep people from decorating with pumpkins and mums. I plan on joining in the celebration of the change of seasons and purchase my fall items this week.

Monday was a strange day at my house. It was the first day of my husband’s retirement. We’ve been working from home together for two years. I’ve been working from home for a very long time. My nonprofit work allowed me to work remotely. And my introvert-self loves it. But when COVID came, change came and Johnny came home to work. My introvert-self struggled a bit. My office space changed, routines changed, and I didn’t know what to expect. But over time, we settled into a routine and rhythm.

Now, it’s changed again. My office space was in the corner of the den at the front of the house. It became a comfortable place for me and my two Labradors where we could look out the front window and watch the birds in the holly tree. As of Monday, all of Johnny’s computers and monitors are gone from the office (my daughter’s former bedroom recreated into an office). And the space is mine again. All mine. In a matter of a few hours, it went from this crowded, messy space in the front of the house:

To this nice, neat big space in the back of the house with a door I can close:

It was a big deal to me and as soon as I sat my laptop on the desk, I smiled because it felt like I was coming home.

Sometimes changes are good. I think back to the biggest changes in my life: going away to college; getting married; having children; starting a career; changing jobs… they all came with positives and negatives. And all of them were growth experiences.

What have been the biggest changes you’ve experienced in your life? How did you get through it? I’d love to know.

Balance and perspective comes from knowing that there is one Person in our life who never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. That’s where I’ve chosen to grow deep roots… not in the people or locations in my life that constantly change, but on the unwavering Rock. And long before changes and trials find you, and they will, decide where your hope will come from. People who just lost everything in the path of destruction of Hurricane Ian, know personally about loss, and pain, and change. What was home is now swept away and is no more. I pray they find their foundation in the unchanging nature of Christ.

I remember from my childhood singing the hymn, “On Christ the Solid Rock.” I would bellow out the chorus with the congregation, “On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Sing along. Click the link below.

Wednesday in the Word

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 NIV

Words I Recommend

A Good Quote: “The only constant in life is change.” Heraclitus

A Good Blog: From the Achieves of Stories for Global Good: Sensing the Changing Seasons Blog

A Good Song: “Let Me Tell You ‘Bout My Jesus.” Anne Wilson A Good Lyric from the song: “Let my Jesus Change Your Life.”

Another Good Song: Christ the Solid Rock

A Final Word

Thank you for your prayers last Saturday as I spoke at the fall women’s event at Harvey Road Baptist Church, Seminole, Oklahoma. It was a beautiful experience from the decorations, to the food to all the precious women.

I was honored to speak about Unseen People.

I told stories, I offered challenges, encouragement and scriptures. I asked them to take time to learn the names of people that God puts in their path with the vision to build a relationship and share the hope of Christ. (I am awful at remembering names but I’m trying to overcome my undisciplined memory.) I asked the event organizer, Brenda, to provide nametags. I was thinking of the peel and stick version. Oh no. This was what was given:

And she even spelled my name correctly with the capital “A”. Extra points for that. Thank you.

It’s time now for me to settle into my new writing space and write more good words. Thanks for reading and sharing these words with me. Until next week, share a good word with someone today.

Grateful for you,