Lucky Number 7!
“Mom, you would never have allowed that when we were kids!” This said by one of my adult children after learning of my decision or reaction at something a grandchild had been allowed to do. A grandchild I was raising.
It was a true enough statement, but.
“They” say that you reinvent yourself every 7 years. I was told that by a friend back in the 90’s after he saw some significant changes in me and my life. I believed it to be so, but is their proof?
According to bettertraits.com, yes. “Our bodies and minds change and evolve every seven years throughout our lives, according to scientific evidence.” (not sure where the evidence is however.)
Rudolf Steiner and other experts have said, “seven-year cycles are vitally significant to doctors, teachers, social scientists, and psychiatrists.”
That last statement caught my attention because 7-year cycles are significant with God as well.
Jacob worked 7 years to win the hand of Rachel. Genesis 29:20 “So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her.” That is true love! So beautiful.
Joseph’s dreams had seven healthy cows and seven good ears of corn, seven lean and ugly cows as well as seven thin, wind-scorched ears of corn, seven years of plenty and seven years of famine.
People were to plant on their land for 6 years but allow the land to rest on the 7th year.
At the end of seven years, Israelites were to free a Hebrew brother who had been sold to them. Set him free.
At the end of seven years there was to be a remission of debts.
Of course, it all began with God creating the earth in 6 days and making the 7th day “hallowed.”
God’s Holy Law contains instruction to “Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.”
Even science today says individual cells in our bodies have a finite life span. When the die off they are replaced with new cells. Any guess on approximately how often this happens? Every 7 years.
There are many references to 7 in the Bible and there is scientific research claiming that we change every 7 years in one capacity or another as well. It’s okay to change.
Back to the charge of new parenting strategies.
It was a true statement. The younger mother in me would not have allowed that, however, and as I expressed to this child, “I have changed in the past, 20, 25 years.”
People change, as they should. I am not the same person now that I was at 21, 35, 48, or frankly 55…
We grow, we change; hopefully for the better. I don’t think the same. I don’t act the same. I don’t parent the same.
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11
I think of my choice of music. I grew up in the 70’s. I really enjoyed 70’s rock and roll, sprinkled with a bunch of everything else. It was about 2 years ago; I realized my taste in music had changed. It was so slow and so gradual I had not noticed. But one day it occurred to me I had not turned to that station or put on that CD for several months. My musical tastes had slowly but surely changed. I listen now almost exclusively to praise and worship music. That was not anything I tried to do by myself. I believe that was God working in my life ever so gently, changing me.
Just like seasons, people change.
Paul wrote, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! That’s how we start to change.
Lean into Jesus. Take His hand. Follow His lead. Drink from the water of life that only He can give.
John 4:14 "but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.
Eat of the bread of life that only he can offer.
John 6:51 "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” NKJV
Jesus is the way to change, the only way.
John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
That's the key: Eat. Drink. Follow. Jesus is our salvation. Do you want eternal life, in perfect harmony with nature, God and others? Jesus!
The change may not happen over night. Your biggest challenge may be to allow yourself some grace. Allow Christ to do the work in you. Be patient and trust the process. Trust the Processor!
by Jeanette Stark – Wednesday, March 1, 2023