Why would I be talking about change today? Because our younger daughter started 11th grade on Monday. And this weekend we’ll drop our older daughter off for her freshman year at college.
This will be a big life change for us. But whether we’re experiencing a major change or a minor one, we tend to want something comforting and familiar to hang on to. Situations like these are when all that I know about God theoretically needs to become really practical in my life.
What I believe about God colors everything. And there’s only one way to know what to believe about God and that’s by learning about Him through His Word.
Recently I started going through the Psalms and writing down characteristics of God I found there. Since I’m adjusting to change this week, I’ve chosen a few of the ones that are encouraging me to share with you.
God is omnipresent.
“Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.” ~Jeremiah 23:23-24
God is here at home with me, and He will be there, nine hours away, with our daughter. When either one of us is hurting or lonely – or happy and excited! – He will be there to guide us through all of those moments.
While I may think that my physical presence offers her protection or makes her immune to hard things, it doesn’t. But God’s presence can provide all she needs.
God is sovereign.
“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” ~Isaiah 46:9-10
God knows and does what’s best. He will accomplish His purposes in our daughter’s life and in mine. Only He can write the story that will result in a life that brings glory to Him. She is in far more capable hands with Him than she is with me! All that happens to her is orchestrated by God.
God is good.
“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” ~Psalm 34:8
God is good. Because I know this to be true, I can trust that what happens in our daughter’s life is ultimately good…even when it looks hard from here. And I know that it’s best for me to step back and see what good things God will do in our family as we move on into the next stage of life.
God is faithful.
“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;” ~Deuteronomy 7:9
Every promise that God has made He will keep. I won’t be as available to help our daughter as I have been in the past, but God will be faithful to her. We can both grow in our faith by learning to trust and rely on Him more.
God is our refuge.
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” ~Psalm 91:1-2
In spite of knowing all that is good about our daughter leaving home, I’m going to have moments when I need a place of safety, shelter, and comfort – more in an emotional sense than a physical one. God can give me those, along with peace in the midst of these changes.
God is love.
“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” ~Jeremiah 31:3
God loves me and my daughter. As much as I love her, His love is even greater. He empathizes with my situation. After all, didn’t God make the greatest sacrifice of all when He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins? That same amazing love extends to each one of us.
What characteristic of God do you need to be reminded of today? God is so much more than I’ve listed here. He is holy, righteous, and just. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and unchanging.
Whatever trial you’re in – a broken relationship, illness, a financial burden, or just a season of life change like mine – God can meet our every need.
Related Posts:
- 5 Truths About God’s Love for Me
- Is God Doing a New Thing in Your Life?
- 10 Things God Might Use to Change Us This Year
Your posts are such an inspiration and blessing to me! I have been reading them for some time now….God has really used you as a vessel to supply much needed scripture and thoughts when I needed them most! Thanks for your dedication to this blog.
Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement!! I am blessed to know that you have been helped by reading here. Thank you for being a reader and for taking the time to comment!
What an exciting time in life for you! But also a little nervous, too. You’re so close to having an empty nest, something I can only imagine right now. 😉
An empty nest being so close still seems very unbelievable to me even now!! It will be an interesting transition from having two daughters at home to just one. Praying for the weekend ahead, for us all to be patient and loving through this “dorm-moving-in” process!
Of course, another perfectly timed post… Things are getting desperate here house & job-wise… I know that I know that I know God is never late…but it’s so exhausting to constantly beat back the enemy’s lies. :'( I am trying to stay in the Word all day, every day, and this post definitely helps today. <3 God has everything orchestrated. He is here, He is good, He is faithful, He is my shelter, and He loves us so much.
Biggest prayers for this weekend's drop off, and also for your youngest in her first week back this week!
Still praying daily, my friend!! Figured that since I hadn’t heard anything, there wasn’t any progress on the job front. Asking God to reward your faith in Him!
Thank you for the prayers ~ trust me, much needed!! 🙂