February 1, 2008

Twenty-two years ago a young married couple unsuccessfully tried to save an annual Christmas letter. A new daughter, a new job and a move to a new town all came at the same time the letter should have been produced.

Needless to say, the letter took fourth place. It wasn’t until the end of January that the letter came together. Still being young and enterprising, they just decided to move to a new tradition and go with plan ‘b’. Today I mail the 22nd edition of the McHan’s annual Groundhog’s letter.

As humans we can quickly move from one plan to another. I’ve been wrestling with the likelihood that I will remove myself from the doctoral program I entered one year ago. And I can explain this decision in positive terms, in spite of the fact that I also feel keenly about leaving my studies.

But that’s how we survive. We adapt. We put the best spin possible on a situation. We move on.
I don’t believe that God works the way I do. Someone who knows the end from the beginning; Someone who is described as ‘changing not’; this kind of Someone is not blindsided by what we perceive as a fickle world.

It’s appropriate for our perspective to change. We’re always growing. And we can be safe on our journey in the knowledge that a great Constant rules over all.

“This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23

With full commitment,
Pastor Steve

PS. A full-color annual letter from Steve’s family may be obtained at
http://sonomasdachurch.com/personal/letterlink.html