Change - It's a good thing

     May is here and with it come many transitions. Our high school seniors will graduate. Some of them will leave  right away for a summer semester in college. The fifth grade students who,since Christmas have seemed to big for the elementary school classes, will graduate to youth group and seem so very young and small. Similarly, last year's four year olds will turn into this years kindergarteners and move out of the nursery and into Children's Church and regular Sunday school.

    Just as children change groups and schools, parents transition to the new, bigger child or more responsible adult in their families. Growth and change are good things, but they can be frightening as well.  I am reminded of Gideon who was called by God but couldn't quite believe he was being called. "Give me a sign." he asked God. And God did. "Give me another sign" he asked again and again God have him a sign. Still he was unsure  and, it seems, afraid of the change of plans God had for him. Gideon prevailed once he embraced the change of direction God presented.

     Likewise, embrace the changed child in your house, the independently minded young adult living under your roof (or under a university's roof at your expense).  It is how God created all of us, to move forward, to change. Peace will be closer if we embrace these transitions as a gift from God.