Change

Dear Friends

Change. I’m not talking about coins in a pocket or coins in a fountain or coins lost in a car seat. I’m not talking about changes in seasons or styles, diets or moods, or changes that come with “a new sheriff in town”.

I am talking about the current phrase that is coming at the end of the sentence, whenever we speak of anything in the future. I will be staying at St. Dunstan’s a bit longer than first expected, subject to change. Kathleen and I will be going home in a couple of weeks to take care of some business, subject to change. I will be having lunch with Clayton Kershaw, (Dodger’s pitcher), next week…well, that’s not subject to change...it’s not happening for sure.

Even the most important information we long for right now, including rules and guidelines about dealing with and understanding this virus, is subject to change. Changing the channel can change your mood from being hopeful to being alarmed, but I’m talking about what apolitical doctors and scientists and studies are saying. The honest ones are admitting “it’s subject to change”. A vaccine might coming sooner than expected. Or not.

How is one to plan for anything in this “subject to change” world? How can anyone be sure about what to do or not to do when even experts’ opinions are subject to change, like a weatherman and all his or her data and metrics and models and maps, still only making the best prediction at that time.

Phrases from two hymns and a prayer help me. “Changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place” reminds me that I am a lifelong “work in progress” under the supervision of a God who loves me along the way, no matter what. “Me through change and chance he guideth” gives me the same assurance. And that phrase leads me to the prayer which says, “may we who are wearied by the changes and chances of life, rest in His eternal changelessness”.

Change? Well, that’s my two cents worth for now. Subject to change!

John