By Judy Villanueva

Romans 8:38-39

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A friend’s daughter got married a few weeks ago.  It was surreal to watch her come down the aisle, a beautiful bride on her daddy’s arm!  What happened to that little one who, once upon a time, literally fit in the palms of my hands?  That day I watched my friend say good-bye to the daughter she had raised, and to her family, the way it had always been. These milestone moments come upon us almost without warning!  Sometimes seasons feel like they will last forever, but don’t blink because all seasons come to an end.  Change.  It is subtle one minute and shockingly bold the next.

What can we do but love well, feel our endings with joy and tears…and then, open our arms to whatever is next!

My mom has shown me what it looks like to surrender with grace to whatever is next in life.  As she approaches eighty, her perspective on this last season of life is remarkable and bright!  I don’t think I’ve ever heard her complain or lament growing old.  Instead, she says things like, “Growing old sure is interesting!”  She seems to be a student of every phase of life and, with a disposition of curiosity, she stays present and positive as health, relationships and realities change.  Most pronounced to me is the gratitude that keeps bubbling to the surface of her life.  She is grateful for good blood flow, that dad doesn’t have any pain and that she can live these days with the love of her life next to her.

Accepting change isn’t always easy especially if we have loved the life that is changing!

Letting go and saying good-bye is an act of faith.  We entrust our life to God each time we surrender to endings and new beginnings.

This seems to be the way of it.  Seasons end and new ones begin.  Children grow up and get married.  Jobs change, friends move away, we all get older and one day, old.  Loving and belonging to God is the strongest anchor in life, isn’t it?  His love never ends!  His hold on our lives is forever faithful.  We can be curious and grateful for all of the seasons that come to us because we have a Father who does not change, who will not leave, and who walks with us through every change…all the way, and until we are in His arms to stay.

“Father, it fills me with joy to remember that nothing can separate me from Your love!  Help me to be grateful and let go of the things that have ended so that my arms might open to receive whatever is next!  Thank You for staying with me throughout my life.  Amen.”

What about you?

How are you doing with the changes in your life?

Are you letting yourself feel your endings with gratitude and tears?

Are you surrendering with grace and looking forward with hope?

God is forever faithful.   Nothing can separate you from His love!

Worship: