Nebraska Synod ELCA

By Better Heier, Wayne, NE

By the time a person reaches the age of 83 as I have, there have been so many transitions in her life that it would be impossible to count them.  Many, if not most, cannot even be remembered, for they happened because of the usual order of things.  For example, I know I transitioned from crawling to walking, from babbling to talking, from scribbling to writing, from pointing at pictures in a book to reading the words on a page.  Even though transitions such as these cannot be remembered in detail, I know each one came with challenges. Crawl…get up…fall down…get up…take a step…fall down…get up…walk…stay up…run.  From “oo, oo” to “ma-ma…da-da” to “I can do it myself!” I met these challenges, but not on my own.  Someone was always there to help, to encourage, to teach, and to guide me.

While I certainly can’t count all the transitions in my life, I can name some.  Where to start?  There was the big step from high school to college.  That was a major transition, for I moved away from home in Omaha to attend Wayne State College in Wayne where the population was only around 5,000. There I was by myself to make new friends, to make decisions without the counsel of my parents. Well, I proudly managed it.  Among those new friends was Darrel Heier, the man I fell in love with.  We were married three weeks after I graduated with a degree in English and a contract to teach in Pierce, Nebraska.  From single girl to married woman and from college student to classroom teacher, my life as an adult began.  Next major transition: motherhood.  Two boys came along. I stepped out of teaching for 13 years and became quite involved in growing my faith, serving in leadership roles in my church and on the synod level.

Throughout my life, I have always believed and trusted in a loving God.  A long time ago I claimed Romans 8:28 as my guiding verse: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”  I have leaned on this promise especially when difficult transitions have come into my life. Because of this promise, I find myself always looking for and praying for how “things” are working together for good.  Sometimes a lot of time must pass before that “good” manifests itself.  Of course, many times I simply must trust in my loving God.  His ways often don’t match my wishes.

As I write, I am in the midst of the most difficult and challenging transition of my life.  On June 8, 2020, my dear Darrel left this life after a seven-year battle with cancer. I believe and know it is good that he is no longer suffering, that he is in the presence of our Lord and Savior.  Darrel and I were married for 59 years; now I am living alone for the first time in my life.  I keep praying that God will show me how things are working together for good.  My prayers are being answered in many ways.  While I live alone, I am not alone in adjusting to this new life.  My sons and their families look after me on a regular basis as does my extended family.  Visits, calls, and texts keep us in touch.  Many close friends check with me and will help me with anything I might need.  My church family has wrapped me in hugs and prayers.  I can’t imagine managing this transition without these wonderful people.  God is keeping the promise of Romans 8:28. Thanks be to God!