Dear Friends in Christ,

     One of the things that I have thoroughly enjoyed about North Carolina was the changing of the seasons. Having grown up in Miami, Florida, I'd never seen snow or the changing of the seasons--the absolutely gorgeous changing of the leaves in the autumn of the year. Winter in Miami is not much more than the changing of the temperature. As kids, we'd wear a winter coat in the morning on our way to school and generally by mid-morning we'd be carrying that coat around for the rest of the day! In my last year of seminary, I had to decide whether to return to Florida or remain in the Western North Carolina Conference to be ordained into the ministry.

     Obviously, I decided to remain in the Western North Carolina Conference for one reason--I really felt this was where God wanted me to serve in ministry, for purposes known only to our Lord. Today, as I look back over the thirty-six years I've served here, I believe that our Lord has been accomplishing those purposes--some unknown to me-and I continue to enjoy ministry here among the good folks of the Western North Carolina Conference. The only regret I have is not being closer to my parents as their needs change with the passing of the years. Yet our folks here have been so gracious in allowing me adequate time off for checking on them, for which I am deeply appreciative.

     So how strong a pull was this "changing of the seasons" in my decision to stay? In retrospect, I think observing seasonal changes touched a truth deep within me that has to do with the whole of life.

     Life is about change. Every single day brings changes of one kind or another. Some are anticipated. Some are complete surprises. And as we grown and mature, some are part of the natural course of things. And in these days of uncertainty, it's important that people know there are some things that do not ever change. Love is one of those things. Paul tells us in the thirteenth chapter of 1st Corinthians that "prophecies will pass away, tongues will cease, knowledge will pass away," but "love never ends!"

     Consider this: In the fall the leaves change, fall to the ground. Crops are harvested. The trees look skeletal to us as winter comes, and with it snow and ice and freezing temperatures (and the warmth of fireplaces and sweaters!). Spring follows with all its brilliance of color and glorious reaffirmation of new life! Summer follows--a lazy, relaxed time (unless your wife has had you plant a garden, or are producing a crop!) toward the end of which we begin to anticipate the cycle starting all over again. Some winters are milder than others, some summers hotter than others. Some years bring drought, some too much rain! But the cycle itself remains the same. Never changes or varies.

     God's love for us is like that. Throughout all the changing seasons of life for each of us, God's love undergirds us and sustains us. It is a dynamic unchanging force within us and at work in our world. When all else seems to be in flux, changing seemingly without rhyme or reason, we can hold to the certainty of God's love for us no matter what.

Yours in the Service of Christ and the Church

Bob

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