Two girls with matching missing teeth sit in the far back seat.  Nervous giggles erupt now and then as they chatter about things six year old girls like to discuss. I watch through my rearview mirror.

They’re first grade best friends and know each other well from playing at recess and sitting together during lunch.  Both share a love for horses and stuffed animals.  Sparkly things.  Pretty things.  Girl things.

But it was the first time they had played with one another outside of school and for a while, it felt different.  I could tell.

“Is she the same person here in this car that she is in school?” both parties seemed to wonder.

It took about ten minutes before it was apparent –  though the environment of their togetherness was different, they were still the same.

They were the same yesterday at school.  They are the same now.  And they will be the same tomorrow.

There will be changes as both girls grow and mature but for this short season right now, they were, they are, and they will be the same – yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

And as I watch the fog begin to part and see them warm to one another, I hear it.

Who was and is and is to come.

He never, ever changes.  Ever.

We change, yes. But He remains the same – always has, still is, and will be tomorrow.

The mood begins to relax and younger brothers pester.  More squeals and giggles.

And while I want to freeze them right here in this moment, both of these girls will grow up to have their heart broken at least once.  They will be hurt by a  friend.  They will not get chosen for teams or squads or whatever.  They will feel left out when two friends get together.  They will make a bad choice during their teen years.  Someone will make fun of them.

They will experience the world. And they need to do so.

But the God they both love will be the same God they know now and as they transform and become young ladies, my prayer is that they will know this and take comfort in knowing that He never changes.

He will always be slow to anger.  Always filled with grace.  He will discipline, yes, but always with mercy.

He will still possess a love for us that we can’t even fathom.

But for now, I watch the gigglers get out of the van, excited at the prospect of being together at the Children’s Museum and being relieved to find the same person they know from the playground.

They hold hands and I pray a prayer of hope over them both.

And one of gratitude.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” – Revelation 1:8

Thank you, God, for:

611.  Being who was and is and is to come.

612.  The precious innocence of first grade girls

613.  Boys who love their mama.

614.  Laughter-filled time with family

615.  The announcement of a new baby arriving in July (not ours, people.  No.  Not ours.)

616.  The potter’s wheel I sit upon daily.

617.  Humility.

618.  Girl-time with just mother and daughter

619.  A husband who got up with the crew two mornings in a row while I slept until 9:30. Yes.  9:30.  I now call him Super Prince Charming instead of just Prince Charming.

620.  The still, small voice that pushes me along.

This week may you be still and know that while you might change a bit here and there, He never will.  And He is good.

Joining with Ann for “Multitude Monday” and Jen for “Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood”