Life Changes…God Does Not

Life changes…God does not.

Christmas family traditions bring smiles and warm memories of time spent together. For some, it’s hot chocolate by the fireplace and smiles as their children open gifts. For others, it’s the singing of familiar Christmas carols.

But for some, the Christmas season not only brings sadness, but also images of the joy and happiness everyone else is experiencing. Behind warm smiles are empty hearts and aching souls. Maybe that someone is you.

Life changes.

Children grow older. They lose interest in family traditions or move away.

Hardships come and take over all we wish we could do.

Loved ones are gone.

Many times, traditions evolve over the years, adapting to family changes.

But for many, the traditions are no more. Instead of warm memories, there are “remember whens” and “if onlys.”

Life changes whether we want it to or not. I don’t want to be depressing, but instead would like to go beyond the facade to tell you this…

Life changes, but God does not.

Our God of yesterday, is our God today, and will be our God of tomorrow.

The Christmas season brings heartache for so many. I don’t know what you may be going through, but if you are one who is struggling this year, may I share this with you?

You are not alone.

You are not alone because others are hurting too. Although they may not show it, they are struggling like you.

More importantly, you are not alone because there is One who loves you more than you know.

Jesus.

Life changes, but God does not.

Life brings hurt, but Jesus brings hope.

We feel alone, but God says, “You are not alone. I am with you.”

Jesus knows. He knows the pain, the emptiness, and the loneliness. And because He walked this earth and knows our pain, we always have One who understands.

Jesus brings hope.

He is what we need. We only need to turn to Him and accept what He offers…what He wants to give us—Himself. Isn’t that the message of Christmas, God giving himself to us?

Jesus brings hope through His ultimate love, endless forgiveness, unbelievable comfort in our times of need, and eternal salvation.

If you are feeling lost in the stories of family traditions and happiness this Christmas, will you call on Him and let Him comfort you?

Jesus is our hope.

This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:

 “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.
He is my Beloved, who pleases me.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
He will not fight or shout
or raise his voice in public.
He will not crush the weakest reed
or put out a flickering candle.
Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.

And his name will be the hope
of all the world.”
 -Matthew 12:17-21 NLT

Life changes…but God does not.

I pray this Christmas that you feel God’s love surround you and know that you are not alone.

~In Christ, Laura

16 Responses to Life Changes…God Does Not
  1. Deb
    December 2, 2012 | 7:48 am

    This is so true Laura. Thank you for helping hurting hearts. We used a time like this to make new traditions. Ones which focus more on Jesus and give us joy. Having some new traditions to celebrate has helped with painful memories. Blessings!

    • Laura Rath
      December 2, 2012 | 4:40 pm

      Thank you Deb, we just never know what someone else may be going through.

      Blessings,
      Laura

  2. Nikki
    December 2, 2012 | 11:22 pm

    Amen…and there is no better time to be the hands of Christ than during the Christmas Season…reaching out to those hurting and less fortunate.

    Thank you for sharing this, Laura.

    • Laura Rath
      December 3, 2012 | 3:43 pm

      Christmas blessings to you Nikki!

  3. Debbie
    December 3, 2012 | 7:08 am

    I am the only one in my immediate family who lives far away. This has been the case for 28 years. Early on, I realized that instead of being sad and lonely, I could create my own Christmas traditions. So my husband and I enjoy our own special ones.

    Yes, life changes but how thankful I am that God never changes. He is with me regardless of where I live.

    Good thoughts Laura!

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

    • Laura Rath
      December 3, 2012 | 3:43 pm

      Thank you Debbie! A blessed Christmas to you!

  4. Dawn
    December 4, 2012 | 6:08 am

    I am so grateful that you went beyond the facade, Laura! You are so right- this time of year can be a mixed bag of emotions, memories and unexpected circumstances. Ultimately our hope and joy is in Him and how is it, I wonder at times, that Christmas can be the hardest time of year to focus on the one at the center of the celebration- and His heart and hope for the hurting. Thank you, dear sister!

    • Laura Rath
      December 5, 2012 | 11:11 am

      Thank you for your kind words Dawn. A blessed Christmas to you and your family!

  5. Elizabeth
    December 4, 2012 | 3:48 pm

    Amen, I hope and pray that those who need this comforting message most will read it today. What a beautiful piece of soul food. Thanks Laura.

    • Laura Rath
      December 5, 2012 | 11:12 am

      That’s my prayer as well. Thank you Elizabeth!

  6. Barbie
    December 5, 2012 | 11:14 am

    We’ve had a rough season these last few years, and due to the lack of finances, have had to change some of our traditions. I am so thankful that God never changes. Thank you for sharing from your heart. I know this touch many.

  7. Mary
    December 5, 2012 | 2:46 pm

    Laura, thank you so much for this beautiful post of hope. Our Christmas will looks very different this years. My dad went to be with Jesus last month, and our children aren’t able to make it home for Christmas. My husband and I are having to be very intentional about remembering that our hope and joy are in Christ. I’m so thankful that even when life begins to look very different, He never-ever changes! Thanks for such an encouraging, heart-touching message.
    I’m so glad you stopped by today!

    • Laura Rath
      December 14, 2012 | 9:34 pm

      Thank you Mary, and God bless!

  8. Elizabeth
    December 7, 2012 | 2:51 pm

    Laura: Thanks for sharing this. Two years ago,we struggled through Christmas–both my mother (2 1/2 hours away) and my father in law were in the hospital through a good part of December. We didn’t even know if they’d make it out for the holiday. Thankfully, they’re both doing better now, but it is so hard to celebrate when sadness surrounds you. Remember that God is always there is so comforting.

  9. Judith
    December 11, 2012 | 12:01 am

    Thank you Laura. You will encourage many hearts with this post. Thanks for linking up with WholeHearted Home this week.

  10. Charis
    December 11, 2012 | 1:35 am

    this is so true and i think it helps for us all to remember that this time of year is to celebrate Him; even though traditions can be fun, they cannot define christmas or we are left empty when they are gone or change. like you said, He will never leave us empty. i love that you started our series with this post.