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I am blessed to live in a part of our country where there is a noticeable distinction between each of the four seasons. Each one brings its own style of beauty, but fall is by far my favorite!

I love everything about it.

I love the change in the weather from hot and humid to cool and crisp. Short sleeve shirts and capris are exchanged for flannels, hoodies, and cozy sweaters.

Trees shed their bright green colors in exchange for hues of orange, yellow, and red. Pumpkins, gourds, and mums decorate my front porch.

The aroma of chili or vegetable soup cooking on the stove fills the atmosphere of the house along with baked goods made with apples or pumpkin.

However, as much as I look forward to this time of year, there are some aspects of it that I dread.

Like the seasons, life has changed.

Fall means football season. My husband’s preference was college ball and, although he watched them all, he was a die-hard Penn State fan. (We are!) Every Saturday there was no question if we were watching football. Since his passing, it just isn’t the same watching it alone.

My husband was also an avid deer hunter. And although the official start of hunting season isn’t until October, preparations began as early as July with the purchase of a hunting license and various needed tags. Come September his days consisted of preparing the bow, rifle, and ammo, hunting clothes, and tree stand. Once the hunts began evenings were filled with phone calls to fellow hunters to get the scoop on their daily success or failure. What I wouldn’t give to hear all those hunting stories again.

There is so much that changes when we lose our spouses. Family dynamics and traditions change; bank account changes; grocery lists change; to-do lists change and for some, our address changes.

But there is one thing that doesn’t change. God does not change.

“I the Lord do not change.”
Malachi 3:6 (NIV)

From before time as we know it through all of eternity, God’s attributes remain unchanged. He never gets “better” or “worse.” His plans and promises do not change, ever! His promises were true for Abraham, Moses, and David and they are true for you and me.

This brings comfort and gives me hope because it means I can depend on Him. He won’t stop being faithful, loving and kind, merciful, just, good, or wise.

He won’t because He can’t!

Therefore, when I read His Word and it says, “He will never leave me nor forsake me” (Deut 31:8) I can rest assured that I am not walking this path alone.

And when I read Isaiah’s words to the broken, discouraged and weary Israelites in Isaiah 40:31 or Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28, I can trust God to keep his word to renew my strength and give me rest.

Psalms 32:8 (KJV) assures me that God will instruct me and teach me the way I should go.

When I need wisdom, James 1:7 reminds me all I need to do is ask!

The list goes on and on. So let me encourage you to consider God’s promises in light of the fact that He cannot and will not change. How would life be different? Ponder them, memorize them, and let them renew your faith and hope.

God may have changed the direction of our lives but not His promises.

Father, in this season of change we find ourselves in, we thank You that You never change. Your promises are still true today. Help us to trust You and to stand on Your promises! Amen