2020…a year of change….good and bad

In the year 2020, I’ve heard the word “change” or “different” on numerous occasions.  Yes, many things have changed: lives, jobs, shopping, travel, eating out, holidays, one’s way of life, etc..  Many wish 2020 would hurry up and get over with, and bring on 2021.  I remember saying that about 2019.  In the fall of 2019 we lost my father-in-love, and we were ready for what was dubbed the “year of perfect vision”.
That perfect vision year comes along, and although some of life seems a bit blurry, there have been times when the focus was possibly clearer.
Let’s ponder on some of the good of 2020, in spite of tragedy and change.  Maybe:

• You embraced your time with your family, and now you treasure those you love even more.  
• You fell in love.
• You learned to cook.
• You became more educated because someone took extra time with you to bring up your reading level.
• You brought out those old photos and laughed, or even cried, at memories of the past.
• Your closets and pantry may have never been more organized because you had time to go through them, or maybe they are full because you spent too much time online shopping.
• You discovered how creative you really may be.
• That home or garden project finally got accomplished.
• Your family grew with that precious little one being born.
• You spent precious time with Jesus and got to know Him through His word.

Can you agree that there has been at least one good thing that has come out of 2020?  What would you add to the list of good, instead of focusing on the bad?
I would like to remind you that although events, others, and ourselves may change, but God never does.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Hebrews 13:8 

“I am the Lord, and I do not change.” Malachi 3:6a

Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.  James 1:17 

God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change. If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.  Numbers 23:19 

Grass dies and flowers fall, but the word of our God lasts forever.”  Isaiah 40:8 

Long ago, you made the world. You made the sky with your own hands! The earth and sky will end, but you will live forever! They will wear out like clothes, and like clothes, you will change them. But you never change. You will live forever! Psalm 102:25-27 

Y’all, that’s some good stuff!  Believe it!
There is something that I pray has changed for you, and if not…will.  I pray that no matter what good or bad came your way in the year 2020, you have had a change of heart.  
God is in the transformation business.  
If you are a Christian, you are to be growing more in love with, knowledge of, and wisdom about Jesus Christ.  I pray we are ever changing, desiring Him more, and sharing Him with others.
If you are not a Christian, God can change your heart.  Allow Him to do so.  Why? Because life with Christ is hope giving and fulfilling.  
There is an eternal life when this life on earth is over.  Heaven and Hell are real.  Both are not temporary places you pass through.  They are both e-ter-nal.  
You can’t get to heaven by just being a church-goer, because you are a good person, or because your grandmother or a family member is a Christian.  The only way to get to heaven is by YOU having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  That begins when you believe God became man by the way of Jesus Christ.  He was born from a virgin, died to take away your sin, rose again, and descended up to heaven to sit at the right hand of God.  He has victory over sin and death.  Jesus will be back to have you join Him in heaven.  Friend, I so pray that you will be with me in heaven on that glorious day!  
Is there much in the Bible that can be hard to fathom?  Sure! But that is what is called faith and trust in His word.  It is the true book, the living word, the complete guidebook to life.  Open it, read it, and learn from it.  It is a choice YOU have to make here on earth.  No one can pray your way there after you have passed. It is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, not a religion.  (Please see https://www.gotquestions.org/personal-relationship-with-God.html for more information or https://soakinguptheson.com/new/want-to-become-a-christian/).
Be transformed/changed/different through Christ.
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
 

Talk about change! While going through my photos to see which to use for this post, I came across the top photo of my family on the beach. Now…I’m not sure if Holly and I are laughing at how my hair has changed or what, but change does happen. Are you ready?