Tomorrow will be different

I had the privilege on Friday of taking candid photos at the retirement reception of friend and co-worker, Dr. Bruce Evans. Bruce is a wonderful, wise Christian man who has blessed family, friends, schools, churches, and non-profits throughout his career in ways that will only fully be seen in eternity. He and his wife, Jane, have a love story that continues to this day and is a beautiful example of Christian marriage.

As different attendees gave tribute to Bruce, many common themes were expressed.  Bruce is a true Southern gentleman, slow to speak, quick to listen - attributes that have endeared him to friends young and old.  He knows how to laugh and not take himself too seriously (he tells the best planned giving jokes ever!). There's nothing quite so joyful as watching a grown man back his head and laugh with his friends.

But something in particular came up several times. One of Bruce's favorite sayings is, "Tomorrow will be different."  He speaks it in that low, slow drawl of his, and the expression on his face adapts to the context.  When you think about it, that's a profound little sentence. It speaks to change as a fact of life, not to be dreaded, but welcomed. It reminds us to savor every moment of today, because we aren't guaranteed the same moments tomorrow.  It also reminds us when times are hard that there is light at the end of the tunnel - this, too, shall pass.  Sometimes it is spoken with a tear, sometimes with a shake of the head, other times with a grin.

It reminded me of the old hymn, "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand":

Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

As Bruce retires, he's entering uncharted territory - what will it be like, after all these working years?  I'm thankful for men like him who show us how to build our hopes on things eternal, while holding to God's unchanging hand....because tomorrow will be different. Thankfully God holds tomorrow, too.