a time of change.

I found out yesterday morning that Pastor Jeff and Jenny are leaving our church. Yesterday's service was their last service with us, as they feel led to go to a different ministry in St. Louis. This was the first I had heard of this. I admire Pastor Jeff so much, I really do. He's a firm believer in my missions calling and he would give me advice, and burn c.d.'s with stories from other missionaries.
At the end of the service it was a time where everyone could go up and greet them, say their goodbyes, and be on their way. When I got up there I started to cry.
I was hugging Jenny and she said,
"I love you, don't worry we'll be back for a visit"
"I don't know why I'm getting so emotional.."
"Because Megan, everything's changing around you. You graduated high school, you're leaving home, you're beginning college."

I couldn't even say anything else, she pin pointed the problem.

The thing is, this time of change isn't just happening for me either. Almost everyone around me is going through, and dealing with change. It's scary. But with change comes new opportunities and new beginnings. Which leads me to a great story.

Last night I was at Jennifer's and we took a blanket outside and looked at the stars. We both prayed out-loud as something came to us and it was just a time of worship to our God and we had so many prayer requests. I had just finished talking to God about the changes going on in everyone's life. I was questioning why everything was happening. I finished and then Jennifer began, and as soon as she said, "Lord..." the brightest, and the biggest, and the longest shooting star I had ever seen passed overhead. I realize that shooting stars happen every night, but as soon as we see this star we begin to laugh, and then we cry.
It was as if God was saying, "I'm here and I'm listening". I could feel Him and this presence was overwhelming.
Throughout our prayers we each saw 8 shooting stars.
8, in the bible, is the number of new beginnings.

I went into that with such a burden on my heart for everyone and their struggles. I went into it questioning, and I was hurting as well.
I came out of that with hope and peace.
In the chaos and the confusion, He is sovereign still.

Who knows what the future will bring? Even through this hard time, God is there. He's holding our tears, and He knows every worry and every heartache. It's a part of life. I feel in my heart, and with all of my being, that God has great plans for all of us. Even through these troubling times, He's shining through. You just have to look, and be willing to see something good.