Change

"But I don't want anymore change!" -- Kassie

It reminded me of a lot of things I've been going through. She's 7 and she was in tears over the changes in teachers. She wants me to stay forever and Tracie wishes I would so she wouldn't have to hire different teachers. On the bike ride back, I thought a lot about her comment on change.

Change. When I was 7, I cried about going to college. Then there were other things I didn't want to do, but I was taught that doing things I don't like to do builds character. Then I went to college. That was change. A lot of change. And many times... I hated change. But change often hurts. But God has something special and better planned through change... even if I don't see it yet.

Change. It's not so scary as it was last year.

Lord, with glowing heart I’d praise Thee,
For the bliss Thy love bestows,
For the pardoning grace that saves me,
And the peace that from it flows:
Help, O God, my weak endeavor;
This dull soul to rapture raise:
Thou must light the flame, or never
Can my love be warmed to praise.

Praise, my soul, the God that sought thee,
Wretched wanderer, far astray;
Found thee lost, and kindly brought thee
From the paths of death away;
Praise, with love’s devoutest feeling,
Him Who saw thy guilt-born fear,
And the light of hope revealing,
Bade the blood-stained cross appear.

Praise thy Savior God that drew thee
To that cross, new life to give,
Held a blood sealed pardon to thee,
Bade thee look to Him and live.
Praise the grace whose threats alarmed thee,
Roused thee from thy fatal ease;
Praise the grace whose promise warmed thee,
Praise the grace that whispered peace.

Lord, this bosom’s ardent feeling
Vainly would my lips express.
Low before Thy footstool kneeling,
Deign Thy suppliant’s prayer to bless:
Let Thy grace, my soul’s chief treasure,
Love’s pure flame within me raise;
And, since words can never measure,
Let my life show forth Thy praise.