Inevitable Change

We are back in Barrhead, Alberta, Canada, to spend time with Ingrid’s family.

Since my first visit here over 30 years ago, many things have changed here, though some changes are more significant than others.

As I walked around town, I notice many new names on storefronts.  The IGA has moved and enlarged and is open 24 hours.

Several years ago, the trains quit servicing the elevators, so that now the farmers have to truck their grain and canola long distances.  The elevators still stand, though under private ownership and being used by a grain trader/middleman.

The grain elevator in Barrhead, Alberta, Canada

The big change for us is the location of Ingrid’s parents.  Just after our last visit 3 years ago, they moved off the farm and into town.  So this is our first time staying with them in the new place.

The new home place

The house is not far from downtown—but neither is anything else here.  This morning I walked almost the entire perimeter in about an hour and a half.

People change, too.  How is it that some of the younger cousins now have gray hair?  This struck me particularly this morning.  I see many people about our age thinking about retirement.  Yet we, only recently made a career change.  It seems to me that making a career change in one’s 50’s helps keep one mentally young, since it is almost like we are starting out in life again.  (Though I must admit that at times I feel especially old when we struggle at trying to learn a new language.)

The old home place

As much as I like many things about the old Barrhead and the pattern of life we enjoyed here, we cannot stop change.  Some things, I admit, are better now.  My trip to the library this morning gave me the fastest internet access I have ever experienced anywhere!

Still, it would be nice to step out of the house and onto the farm.  And while that is not possible, it is possible to enjoy the company of family and friends we have not seen in a while.  We can reminisce about “old times” while enjoying the present and looking forward to what God is going to do in each of our lives in the future.

And in the midst of all this constant change, we rejoice that we have a God that does not change, whose very character defines the word “faithful”. 

We pray that even though our bodies will go through inevitable changes our faith will remain strong until the end.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:7-8 ESV)