How many of you sit in the same pew every Sunday? Do you order the same thing every time you go to your favorite restaurant? Do you take the same route to work every day? It seems that the older that I get – the less I like change. There’s something comforting about doing things “as I’ve always done.” Now, there are advantages to routines. We don’t have to worry about whether or not we’ll like something new because we know that we like what we’ve “always done.” We know that we’ll be pleased, and we will be following traditions. I happen to like traditions! But, what am I missing? That’s the disadvantage – I don’t know!
Years ago when Steve and I went on a mission trip to Tver, Russia, our motto for the adventure was “Monitor and Adjust.” It seemed like things were always changing, and we couldn’t count on anything being the same from one day to another. Personally, I’m a “planner.” I like to know where I’m going, what I’m going to do, and when I’ll do it ahead of time. With the holidays coming so soon, I want everything to be the same. I want my house decorated, my presents bought and wrapped, and my Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner menus exactly like I’ve cooked for the past thirty plus years (with MaMaw’s homemade rolls and Memom’s Karo Pecan Pies). But, as we all know – 2020 has been a year of unexpected changes. I’ve got a new job. I can’t eat what I used to eat before surgery. Entertaining will be different due to Covid restrictions. I can “bemoan” the situation or I can “monitor and adjust.” Just because something is different doesn’t mean that it’s bad. Who knows what joys await us!
We do know that Jesus has promised that He “will never leave us or forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5) for “lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). Friends, there are better things coming, so for now – let’s try to “monitor and adjust.” Simply blessed, Courtney