For many of us, life has been going at a fast clip all year long. The pace did not seem to slow down when we shifted into end of summer/beginning of autumn season. In some ways, it seems to be speeding along faster than ever as the end of the year approaches – the holidays, work or school deadlines, gifts to purchase and wrap, food to prepare, and gatherings to attend. I look at my “to do” list and am overwhelmed as I wonder how I will get it all done. I watch the nightly news and feel anxious about all that is happening in the world right now and how out of control it feels. And I am wearied by it all.

When the word “wearied” comes to mind about my current state, I think of the night I attended Evensong at Christ Church, Oxford University in 2019. One of the collects (prayers) that was read that night has stayed with me:

“Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

~Book of Common Prayer *

For me, “eternal changelessness” is such a comforting thought! No matter how busy or worried or frazzled I feel, I can always stop and take a breath and know that I am in the presence of God’s eternal changelessness. The changelessness of God’s love, the changelessness of God’s grace, and the changelessness of God’s care.

I hope it brings you comfort as well.

~Janet Spaulding

*The version of the prayer shared here comes from the Book of Common Prayer of the Anglican Church in North America, chosen for its modern translation and ease of reading.