In these changing times, one thing never changes

The Story Behind the Story A historic hotel and a good friend

In these changing times, one thing never changes

Are you old enough to remember life before cell phones? Before you carried 2,000 books—and at least that many songs—in your hip pocket, and could be reached anywhere, anytime (whether you want to be or not)?

I write historicals. 19th century, to be exact—1860s-70s, during the Civil War and Reconstruction period—and I often marvel at how much life has changed in the past 150+ years. At other times, I marvel at how much life hasn’t changed. Or more rightly, how human nature hasn’t changed. But our way of life certainly has. Just think…

What would our ancestors from 1850 have thought if we’d told them that, in a very short amount of time (a blink in history, really), people would be sailing down an ultra smooth road in a wheeled-contraption going 65-75 mph (on a slow day) with kept-hot-or-cold-for-hours-in-a-thermal-mug coffee in a drink holder, in a comfortable temperature-controlled environment (no matter the weather), maybe eating breakfast or lunch, all while listening to a person who’s nowhere near them describe in detail what’s happening almost instantaneously on the other side of the world…or just around the corner. Or talking to a friend who may be half way around the world! And in a heated or cooled seat, no less, that may or may not have a built-in massager (just in case your back muscles get a little tired from the long trek to and from Target, bless our hearts).

Or what about people being seated and strapped into “very comfortable” chairs—when compared to crossing an endless prairie in a jolting wagon covering maybe 10-15 miles on a good day—and hurtling through the air in a metal tube while they, and 175 people they’ve never met, are served dinner and drinks as they all watch movies or read books (from one of 2,000+ titles they brought with them) as they cross an ocean in a matter of hours.

And don’t even get me started on the supply of food readily available to most of us, and the ease of that food preparation, the medicinal aids and surgical advances. And even clean running water (that far too much of the world still doesn’t have)!

It’s staggering when you think about how much has changed in so little a space of time. And technology is changing faster and faster, “improving our lives.” What a world we live in.

And yet we rarely think about all that. Because we’re so accustomed to the conveniences and “norms” of this life. But one thing we have in common with everyone who has drawn breath since the beginning of time…is the certain and eternal truth that God does not change.

Hebrews 13:8

In researching history for the novels I write, I’ve read countless thousands of pages of diaries and personal accounts, personal (often gut-wrenching) handwritten letters to and from senders, and whenever they record an eternal truth—whether quoted directly from the Word of God or rephrasing Scripture in their own words—there’s something inside of me that pulls taut. That connects me with them no matter how many years separate us.

Because the Word of God is eternal. It will never fail. It will never return void. It always accomplishes His purpose. It’s able to cut the heart wide open and reveal everyone’s secret life. Its roots go down deep within us, spanning lifetimes and instructing future generations.

One of the real letters from Susan Hairston (nicknamed “Weet’) who was the wife of Captain Roland Ward Jones, the hero in With This Pledge, that’s woven into the story. Picture (and letter) compliments of David Doty, the great-great-great grandson of Captain Jones who shared not only the family history with me, but also the treasured letters their family members have stewarded since the mid-19th century.

Think of David’s words in Psalm 143…

Or God’s words to the Israelites (recorded by Moses) in Leviticus chapter 26…

Or again in Deuteronomy chapter 8…

Or words from a letter written by Paul in 55-57A.D. and found in Romans 8 (this image is from my precious Dad’s Bible, which I treasure, especially now)…

More and more with each passing day, I determine to speak the Word of God into people’s lives. And yes, into the lives of the real people from history that I write about in my Southern mansion novels, too (especially when taken directly from their own letters and journals).

Because only what we do for God will last. Only His eternal truths will stand the test of time.

One of my favorite ways to “practically” share the Word of God is to grab snapshots of Scriptures from my Bible and send them to friends I’m praying for. All of the images of Scripture above came from recent texts that I’ve sent to friends (and I keep every image of Scripture they send back to me).

In these changing times, it’s good to know that Jesus (and His Word) never change.

What’s one way you share the Word of God with people in your life (or that others have shared the Word with you)?

Blessings on your Tuesday,

Tammy

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