It’s never gonna be the same without her.

Last week we said ‘good-bye’ to our friends. Well actually, we didn’t get to say ‘good-bye.’

We met our neighbors seven years ago this May, when we moved into the home we are living in now. Taelyn was just six months old at the time, and our neighbors were expecting their first child. Taelor, our neighbor’s new baby girl, was born that July.

Taelor and Taelyn have been like brother and sister ever since. Living on a quiet street, our homes were close enough that the two little ones could begin their mornings together. It was not uncommon for the duo to play side-by-side the entire day through. Frequently they would get angry with one another and stomp off declaring, “I never gonna be your friend again.” Just as often they could be seen hugging each other, or rolling on the ground while sharing a belly laugh over something silly.

Over the last several months, since Christmas, we knew our neighbors had plans to sell their home and relocate to a different part of the city. A few weeks ago their goal solidified and a sold sign went up.

Even though Taelor’s family plans to stay in Kelowna, we realize that our busy family schedules may prevent us from staying connected. We have been preparing Taelyn, as best we could, for Taelor’s departure. Kids, of course, have no concept of time, so life went on pretty much “as normal” for the two small friends.

Our last day as neighbors was last Sunday. It was a day filled with drama and a lot of emotion. It seemed every couple of minutes, the two children were at odds with each other. As much as, we, the parents, tried to encourage them to enjoy their last hours together, the kids seemed bent on being angry with one another. The day ended with Taelor in tears at her house, and Taelyn sobbing in his room. While we were away from home the next day, Taelor moved out and we didn’t get to say good-bye.

When we came back home that day, Taelyn burst into tears (again) as his new reality set in. Filled with emotion, Taelyn shared his grief over the situation, “I shouldn’ta been so mean yesterday,” he said, rubbing his red little eyes, “and I wished I woulda never said she was mean.” Tae’s bigger concern, however, was, “It’s never gonna be the same without her.” Of course there was extra drama involved because Taelyn is only seven, but he thought life here in the neighborhood would be miserable from now on.

I wanted to help Taelyn to understand that the people in our lives will often come and go. Circumstances change. There is a transition time as we move from one normal into a new normal. During that transition time it is natural to be sad, but we can’t ever place our hope in people or our circumstances for our sustained happiness, because “things” change.

As difficult as change might be, during the transition times we are more likely to give God our full attention. It isn’t that He only shows up just when there is stuff going on in our lives. He is always there. But God longs to be the center of our attention, not an afterthought. When our eyes are turned away from competing distractions, God uses those moments to our full advantage. He wants us to know that every single situation that comes our way, is God ordained to work out for our good, because God has a plan for the way He wants us to live.

What we need the most is to know that when everything around us is changing, God is as constant as the air we breathe. His character never changes. God never moves away. Nothing can remove His steadfast love from us.

Getting to know God’s character is the only way you can begin to place your trust Him and be ready for those transition times. Has life changed for you? Do you wonder if “it’s ever gonna be the same?” Open your Bible – Get to know the only ONE whom you can trust to satisfy all of your needs. He loves you unconditionally.

Aleichem Shalom

~dl.