Transitions and Roles

Today as I watched a local high school play the first game of the year it was the first time I was watching with all of our children having graduated from high school. In a way, I found myself wanting to hang onto those years of watching the kids friends hang out and "chill" with their "homies". I found myself asking questions about the new roles that come with this territory of nearly being "empty nesters".

Questions like :

What will my kids decide to do with their lives?

How will we adjust to our new role with our children ?

Do they really know how much they mean to us and how important their well being is ?

How do we adapt to our different roles we will play in their lives?

Can we really take more vacations ?

Should we buy a motor home to see the sights ?

With every significant transition in life comes a mixture of questions, uncertainty, hopes, and dreams. The scriptures are full of wisdom designed by our creator to help us navigate the milestones of life.

For the questions we face about the future I enjoy

(NIV) James 3:17

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace- loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

We can always count on God's faithfulness to deliver the wisdom we need to take on the roles He moves us into ( and as sure as they come, they will change )

For the uncertainties, God has promised us

(NIV) Psalm 97:10-12

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. [11] Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. [12] Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.

We have a faithful God who reigns over all and truly sees his people.

His promise to see us through our lives can be counted on. That means we can rejoice in each change the Lord brings about.

As for our hopes and dreams, we can know that God has made each of us uniquely and in his image. When we allow Him to work in our lives we can know He will fill us with the hopes and dreams he knows fits our design.

(NIV) Psalm 37:3-5 ,23-25

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. [4] Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. [5] Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this

[23] If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; [24] though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. [25] I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

Verse 25 is especially cool. Translated to our upcoming transitions it would say something like this.

"Once a very long time ago, I was that kid "chillin with my homies" and I have seen many changes come about. High School Graduation, College, First Job, Marriage, children,Second Job, third job, etc. kids go from gradeschool to high school, fourth job, and now pre- AARP, yet I have never seen the God leave us out to dry, and I can count on him to do the same for my kids."

May God bless you in your transitions.

His Servant,

Jeff Dyk

President

Upstream Professionals, Inc.

281-750-9104

Finishing Well

At times it is difficult to write, because understanding God's purpose in seeing a friend and her family suffer through the battle of cancer is tough. You pray for healing, but then don't see it come. I learned a valuable life lesson from that friend and her family this week, and that is to finish well and set your hope on things above where you cannot lose.

Finishing Well

(NIV) 2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day---and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

These verses struck deep today as they were read in memory of a good friend's funeral service. Heidi started early running her race to please the Lord with her life. To hear the testimonials to her faith and life and see all of the people she influenced positively for the Lord was refreshing. Heidi battled cancer multiple times and in the process while losing to cancer, she won the important battles of life and attitude. The most important aspect of her battle was she fully understood that she was a child of God, and could trust God with everything valuable in her world. Her husband and children were evidence of that. Heidi equipped herself for the struggle by connecting regularly with God in his Word and prayer. This gave her the strength to keep an outward focus. Even in her last days she mustered the faith to give encouragement to others.

Every story told about Heidi was a testimony to her qualities refined by her love of God and obedience to his Word.

She used her voice to draw people into worshiping God.

(NIV) Psalm 100:1-2
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. [2] Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Her ability to see the best in people.

(NIV) Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Her constant grace under difficulties.

(NIV) Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Heidi exhibited that peace that only comes from knowing Christ has eternal life in store for those who receive him as savior.

Her kindness for all people was clear.

(NIV) 2 Corinthians 2:15
For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Heidi was called to heaven this week. She finished well. The Lord said "Well done, good and faithful servant" to her. Thank you Heidi for your example. God will use it. You will be missed, but your life and faith will be remembered.

Will you finish well ? Will you examine the powerful love God has for you as an individual, and gain strength to finish well ? Do you know the peace of God as Heidi did ?

Take time to let God pour out his love to you. You are worth it. It will give you the strength and courage to Finish Well as Heidi did.

His servant,


Jeff Dyk