Changes

Life sure has many changes . . .
Reminds me of the Patty Loveless song and lyric:

Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same
I am finding this to be so true at least in my work life.

Over the past 3 years since my company was sold when
the president retired and bought out by a large corporation,
I have watched co-worker after co-worker either be laid-off
or move on . . . My company was a real "family".
It was not unusual for people to work there 50 years.
I truly loved it.

This "corporation" is so different.
People come and go like a revolving door.
You don't make lasting friendships.
Just a "job", not a family.
Profit is the most important thing.


Today I said goodbye to my manager.
He has been at my company 18 years.

He has been a blessing in my life and career.
He has taught me so much and really stretched
and challenged me. Sometimes I would be mad and
frustrated because it was hard what he wanted me to do.
But thankfully I always kept those feelings to myself
and respected the person God put in authority over me.
He is very bright and knows computers inside and out.

He taught me to use SAP when our company was
bought out and the new company had us make the change.

He taught me to use Excel.
While I am far from an expert, I can
do many more things then I ever
dreamed possible thanks to him
pushing me.

I don't really like change.
Well if I am really thinking about my life, I'd
say not liking change is a real understatement.
I've liked in the same apartment 23 years.
I've worked at the same company 25 years.
When things are nice and comfortable
I feel safe and secure.

But I know God likes to rock our world.
He doesn't want to keep us in a comfortable
safe and secure environment for long.
Why, we have no need for Him in that place do we?

Reminds me of another lyric from a song and group
I love Watermark.

Even when I'm sturdy keep my knees dirty.

God knows us so well. He knows the minute
we are confident & feel "sturdy" we go our merry way
in our own strength and forget about God.
But oh, give us a problem and we can sure
find God fast !  Amazing people we are.

So okay Lord, I get it.
Time for change and more stretching.

I don't know what the future holds at my job.
I don't know how my new boss will be.
I don't know what will happen when our company
is taken over for the second time by a new company
later this year.

But I do know who holds my future in His hands.
And I am content with that . . .  I can rest in that . . .
I can handle these changes . . . because I know
the one who NEVER changes.

Malachi 3:6 "For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.

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

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.