Christian Living: Always Changes

(Story begins with Gramps reading the paper and quietly humming a tune. Can be a tune like twinkle, twinkle little star or something that kids will recognize.)

Robbie: (Calling from off-stage somewhere.) Grandpa! Grandpa! Where are you?

Gramps: I'm in the living room Robbie.

Robbie: (Enters in a flurry, out of breath.) Grandpa, I have a problem! School is really getting me down. Everything is so different this year. New kids, new building! I'm beginning to wonder if anything ever stays the same anymore!

Gramps: Heh, heh. Well, people have been wondering that ever since Adam and Eve. I mean, just look at this newspaper. Front page, they've spotted a new planet past Pluto. Used to be that Pluto was the last planet in the solar system. Now the scientists are saying that there might be some more planets out there.

Robbie: Wow. Now that's a change.

Gramps: Yep. And then down here it says that eggs are actually good for you. Last month they said that if you eat too many, your cholesterol would skyrocket.

Robbie: What's cholesterol?

Gramps: Something you don't need to worry about yet, Robbie. Maybe someday but let's hope not.

Robbie: So those things have changed?

Gramps: Actually, not really. You see, the planets are just the way they were when God created them. The only thing that changed is that a few scientists were able to see a planet that has always been there. So what really happened is somebody came up with a better telescope.

Robbie: Oh, I get it. So the planets in space didn't change. The telescope the scientists used to look at space changed and so now they can see further?

Gramps: That's right. Same thing with the eggs. Whether eggs are good or bad for us, they have always been the way they are right now. God created chickens and they laid eggs just the same as chickens today lay eggs. People keep studying the eggs and what they think they know about them changes but those eggs are...

Robbie: Just the same as they have always been. I'm starting to see the pattern.

Gramps: You know Rob, there's an old saying that says the only thing constant is change.

Robbie: Wow. (Seeming impressed.) Um, Grandpa?

Gramps: Uhm-hm.

Robbie: What the heck is that supposed to mean?

Gramps: Oh. Heh heh. Well, it means that the only thing that we can count on for sure is that things will change.

Robbie: Oh. I don't think I like that saying very much.

Gramps: Me neither. Why don't you like it, Robbie?

Robbie: Well, because. It makes it sound like there is nothing we can count on in this world except change and change can be scary!

Gramps: That's true. There's a different reason I don't like it, though.

Robbie: What's that, Grandpa?

Gramps: There is one thing, actually someone, that is always the same no matter what. That someone is God. He is the same today as He has always been. And you know what else Robert?

Robbie: No. What?

Gramps: He'll be exactly the same tomorrow too.

Robbie: Wow! That's awesome. (Thoughtful, as if realizing this all for the first time.) Our God is the same God who it talks about in the Bible. The same one I pray to each morning and night (and during math tests) is the same one that created the World and talked to Moses through the burning bush. That is really cool, Grandpa. I feel better about school now. I can always ask God to help me. He's open 24 hours and never changes! That's better than having my own cell phone!

Gramps: Heh heh. I agree, young fella. And you don't have to pay a bill to talk to Him. Now, what about school? What's so different this year?

Robbie: Well, lots of stuff but mainly it's the new school I'm going to now. I don't know many kids yet. Since my dad had to switch jobs, now I have to go to a new school. I've made a couple friends so far but none as good as Duke.

Gramps: Yeah, first your pal Duke moved away and now a new school. It will take some time to make a friendship like you had with Duke. So what's your favorite subject this year?

Robbie: I'm having a tough time deciding between two.

Gramps: Really now. Which two?

Robbie: Lunch and recess!

Gramps: (Shakes head) Heh heh! Robbie, Robbie, Robbie. You never change either!