In my hallway, I have two family pictures. I pass by them often, but I stopped and looked at them today. I stared until I grew tired of standing in one spot.
One photo is ten years old. The second one is two years old.
There are eight years between the images, and they remind me of the changes in
our lives.
With the dawn of 2026, I wonder what the new year might
bring, let alone the next eight. There will be lots of modifications, and I won’t
like all of them.
In the oldest picture, three family members are missing
today. Two left Earth by death, and one exited by divorce. Everyone is smiling.
We had no idea of the challenges to come to the eleven people in the photo. Thoughts
of cancer, dementia, and death never occurred to us.
We are standing in a forest, and the trees provide a
tranquil scene. As I gazed at the photo, the piney fragrance came wafting back
to me. The day supplied happiness and laughter. Lots of food, too. My hubby and
I presumed we’d shove off to glory before any of the others.
The future doesn’t always agree with our plans, does it?
Burying a child is not easy. Grieving with a daughter over
the loss of a husband who walks out of her life isn’t fun either.
But God never promised humanity a trouble-free life. He
promised to be with us in dark times. So, despite the shadows of the last eight
years, we enjoyed sunshine, too.
In the newer photo, twelve people stand together. Four new
members joined by marriage, and a new baby by birth. The four new members and
the sweet baby bring happiness.
As I gazed at the framed photos, I also noticed other losses.
Several members lost hair. One lady lost fifty pounds. Three teenagers lost their
look of innocence. Several members knelt on their knees, but eight years later,
they are standing. Knees lost their ability to bend.
Our bodies change with the years, and we don’t notice them
until we look at old photos.
Losses will continue. So will additions. The primary
addition I would like to see is that all my family add God to their lives. Some
members walk with the Lord, and others do not.
We can’t see God in the photos. He lives in hearts.
If you are reading this and haven’t added God to your life. Do it now. He comforts during the dark days and gives hope for the subtractions and additions to come your way.
