There comes a point in the life of ALL living things that we must shed off our old skin, in order to continue to grow properly or develop fully. I am reminded of this when I see God's creatures molting and changing. The snakes shed their skin, crayfish and lobsters shed their whole body down to the legs, yet their "new body" seems to always be bolder, brighter, and bigger than the old one left behind, In nature, many animals have to "get rid" of something or change something in order to grow properly. The beautiful butterfly comes from a plain-jane cocoon, where a creepy-crawly caterpillar had once lain down his head, finally satisfied from his feeding frenzy. Birds molt old feathers out, in exchange for fresh new ones, and animals with fur lose the old, in exchange for a much softer coat.
In life, spiritually and physically-speaking, we must change to grow, and the process of that change is almost-never easy or convenient for us. It hurts. Change hurts. Transformation hurts. It is a painful but necessary action we as living creatures must take to get from what we are to what we need to be. God created every creature I can think of to change from time to time, and all animals seem to do it naturally and willingly, except us humans. Unlike reptiles or crustaceans, we don't seem to readily recognize when we should shed our dull and itchy skin or make a change in our lives when we become stale in our physical and spiritual bodies. Instead, we human beings try to identify an external factor that is causing the hindrances we face, because, surely, nothing is wrong with us, our minds tell us. Life here on this Earth isn't easy, and it's even harder when we resist the change that is necessary to keep our bodies and souls running at peak performance. Yes, change may hurt for a bit, but have you ever seen a butterfly that was not as or more beautiful than the drab cocoon it squeezed itself from, or a snake that didn't grow larger than the old skin it fought its way out of? That's how change is...it hurts, but it's necessary and transforms us into more of the "end result" we were meant to be in the first place.
You see, only God Almighty knows where he wants all of his creatures to end up, and only He can offer us methods of change that get us to end up in the right place at the right time. His timing is perfect, and we tend to forget that we are not here for us, we are here for Him. God's got this! He knows where we are going. We only know where we are and where we've been. Seems a bit hard for most of us to let go of the fact that we truly cannot control our futures. We can make good choices, and make good friends along the way, we can do our best in all things, but we are not in control of the outcome, the way it all plays out. That's what makes us so different: humans and God.
In conclusion, all things must change. The seasons change, people change, circumstances change, families change, friends change, even the bugs and reptiles change. Everything in this life changes, except the One who created it all. We are His creations, and we are at His mercy to change us as He sees fit. As for myself, I will hold to His unchanging hand to guide me and show me where I need change in my life!
On Friday, January 10, we got the news that Aunt Betty Smith had passed away. We were all shocked and saddened at the unexpected news, as she was always so full of life, love, and sweet spirit. When I think back on the life of Aunt Betty, four simple words come to the surface of my thoughts: strength, family, God, and glue. Glue may seem like an unusual word to attribute to a person, but she was strong, and she held her family and loved ones close and she kept God even closer; and she was indeed like "glue" in the way she kept everything and everyone together so well. She stuck with God through thick and thin; she was a true testament of faith in HIM and His love to her friends and family. Unwavering, she stood for God in all that she did, such as the way she faithfully stood beside her husband, my Uncle Leavell, for many, many decades, until his death barely a year ago. Amazing strength from within her beamed brightly during even the most painful times in life, and she loved nothing more than to smile and see the light in the eyes of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, and everyone else she came into contact with. She was blessed and she let that light shine, as she blessed so many day in and day out. Aunt Betty and Uncle Leavell have left one of the strongest, Godliest legacies of love for God and service to Him, love for Family, love for friends, and love for community that I, personally, have ever seen. This legacy is ever-so-evident in the ministerial callings and service of so many of their descendants, who are such an inspiration to all who know them, as well. To me, Aunt Betty was also an iconic reminder of Patriotism to our country, as she, Uncle Leavell, their children, and grandchildren hosted the hoards of us on their infamous "Fourth of July Barbecues and Smith Family Reunions." Never did Aunt Betty fail to have on a bright array of reds, whites, and blues against an American Flag Shirt or the "Family-Slogan" T-shirt, complete with the phrase, "I pigged out at Velle's." She never hesitated to open her home and her heart to anyone who wanted in to the warmth of either, and she left anyone she met feeling more faith in God, love, and humanity. I am saddened at her loss, but I can't help but smile, as I think of the love, hugs, and kisses going around in Heaven upon her arrival. She is now in perfect peace, with both of her True Loves, and having lived faithfully resolved to shine her light as brightly as she possibly could here on Earth. The glue with which she held her family close and her God closer remains here with us, reminding all of her loved ones to stick tightly together in love and to stay bound inseparably with God. Aunt Betty will never experience another dreary day in Georgia, for where she is, the SON will forever shine ever-so-brightly.
