Change

I remember when I bought my first car and it cost me a grand total of $16.00 to top off my tank. Today the number 16 only refers to the number of gallons it can hold because in dollars and cents that would barely get me to Wal-mart! Of course let's face it, gas isn't the only thing that costs more- from gum to cars, you name it, the numbers keep escalating.

When prices go up we notice because it touches us personally, you know, our wallets! It causes us to change how we handle our finances, do our budget, balance our spending, pay our bills etc. Change never comes easily but I have found as I get ol...umm...more mature, change is inevitable. What do I mean? Well let's see besides the cost of living, here are a few other areas that I have found myself having to make adjustments:

The 30 Hill! When I was in my twenties I thought 'this is the life.' I could eat anything I want and not gain an ounce, I always was full of energy, I was okay with waiting because I was young, I could still become anything I wanted, I could go wherever I wanted...the world was at my fingertips and there was no hurry or worry. Then I turned 30 and it all changed. Suddenly my body began to betray me, I started developing this soft inner tube like thing around my stomach area-what is that? And why won't it go away? If this had made an appearance 5 years ago I could probably go for a bike ride and it would go away, now, it clings on for dear life, my goal now is to eliminate it...slowly.

I remember the days that I could wake up and spring out of bed and if I dropped something I would bend down and pick it up and be on my way...I miss those days (insert tear here). The good news is that I have discovered muscles that I never knew I had, the bad news is that I know they are there now because they hurt. The first day I bent down to pick up something and let out a grunt...well...sad. Oh days of rebound, how I long for you.

Not only is my body changing (not all for the bad, but definitely not all for the good either)), but my health is as well. What are all these aches that have mysteriously set up camp? I never had much health issues but now I've been struggling with one for a couple years and the most frustrating part is the lack of diagnosis. It's like we must doctor ourselves these days. I see so many of my friends and family also experiencing changes in their health for no apparent reasons and I long for the free from pain days. Don't get me wrong, I have many good days but I am certainly reminded often that it is not what it used to be.

Then there are the relationship changes. Friends that come in for seasons and then go and then friends that come and will be there for life and you can't imagine what life was like before and don't want to think of life without. Family relationships change, suddenly those close to you are growing up and getting lives of their own, dating, working, traveling...changing the very dynamics of how you interact and preparing for the next stage. Changing schools, churches or jobs presents a continuous flow of new people whose lives you will touch and some of whom will touch yours and change it.

Not to mention how your perspectives change, your likes and dislikes (I mean I love golf and four wheeling, go figure!)

Change is sometimes hard, sometimes easy, sometimes not the best, sometimes really good, but always, always inevitable. So I have found that I really have only one choice when it comes to change and that is my attitude. I can fight it, or embrace it. As a Christian I have to trust what God says, "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future," and "The steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord." Right? He already knows all the changes I will encounter on this journey. For you too. So do I trust Him? Do I pray that He gives me wisdom be a good steward of my finances? Do I trust that if I eat right and exercise my body will be healthier? Do I know that He is the God that heals and the God that leads? Do I believe?

Change is going to come and when it's all said and done I would rather stick with the One who already knows the end from the beginning than try to figure it all out. I'm tired just thinking about it. (I think that is another sign of getting ol...umm more mature) :)