By Harold Keller / L’Observateur / September 14, 1998

In December 1992, my oldest daughter, Ronny, was diagnosed with acute leukemia. Today, because of a loving, miracle-working, heavenly Father,her faith, and two competent, caring doctors, she is completely healed.

Since then, she has given birth to her fifth child, named Victoria Grace, who will be four in October. She is presently in her second year ofteaching.

She also helps with a ladies church ministry called “Hearts in Touch” and was asked to write an article in the church monthly newsletter. It’s aboutchange, something we all struggle with. I hope it speaks to you as it did tome.

“Hearts in Touch” “Just when you get comfortable with something, it seems to change. Evengood changes are still…changes! There have certainly been some changes inmy household in the last month. Those carefree summer days have beenreplaced with hectic, early school mornings. Then, after developing andflowing in a routine in class last year, I come back to school, and there are 26 bright, new faces. At home, with five children ranging in ages from3 to 15, there are always many interesting changes and challenges not designed for the faint-hearted. Even my husband, Michael, is changing. Hehas convictions about teen-age boy/girl relationships that are quite different from the views he held some 20 years ago, when he wasn’t serving God.

Now, keep in mind – all of these changes are good. The beginning of schoolhas forced more discipline into my life. (Increased discipline – goodchange.) I’ll always love last year’s class, but my new second-gradershave already captured my heart. (Increased capacity to love – good change.)It’s exciting to watch my children grow up and to appreciate God’s creativity in making each one of them unique. (Increased appreciation forGod – good change.) And I’m certainly in agreement with Michael’s viewson dating. (Increased Godly convictions – great change.)But they’re still changes. And even good changes affect my comfort zoneand force me to think, “Here I grow again.” It is so soothing for me toremember that there is something, or rather, Someone who will never change. I listen to the voice of my God who says, “I, the Lord, do notchange.” (Malachi 3:6) He has promised to be “the same yesterday, todayand forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Even though He may always bring new thingsinto my life, I find comfort in knowing that the Word of God, which I’ve always trusted in all of these years, is “forever settled in heaven.”(Psalm 119:89) So, in this changing world, I’ve decided to continue to put my faith in my unchanging God!” -Ronny Michel

Harold Keller is a regular columnist for L’Observateur.

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

Internet services provided by NeoSoft.

Best viewed with 3.0 or higher