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God Is Not Milk
Friday, April 25, 2025 by Sarah Schwerin

Holding my son’s empty cup, I opened the refrigerator door and scanned the contents. Hadn’t I just bought milk? Yet there was none in the refrigerator. I moved some containers of leftovers, as if two gallon jugs could be hiding. Where were they?

Empty plastic bags still littered the floor. My youngest son toddled into the kitchen. “Milk?”

“Just a minute.” I gathered the bags from the floor. Empty. Where could the milk have gone? Then dread filled my stomach. No, it couldn’t be, could it?

As I rushed to the door, toddler at my heels, I mentally retraced my steps. I’d unbuckled my preschooler and his younger brother from their car seats. We’d carried all the groceries inside. Hadn’t we?

I opened the front door and peered outside on a sunny Kentucky day. Both gallons still sat where I’d laid them…

On top of the car.

I lugged the milk inside, trying not to think about how much money they represented. Setting the warm jugs on the counter, I stared at them. They seemed to glare at me.

I called my mom. “Do you think they’re still good?”

She cleared her throat. I knew she didn’t want to tell me what she was really thinking. “Well…you could smell them to check.”

I opened one gallon and sniffed. With my son looking up at me, I tried not to gag.

Milk changes quickly. I should have known. And in my heart, I did. I didn’t need to sniff it to know something was wrong.

Everything in life changes. Some changes are good. My sons have changed from babies to children to adults. Even though I miss some aspects of their youth, it’s wonderful to see the young men they are becoming.

Other changes stink. Like when you have to become a caregiver to a parent who no longer remembers he used to take care of you. Or a friend who’s no longer friendly. A supportive work environment where you’re no longer welcome. Circumstances change. People change. Life is never the same. Like a rancid gallon of milk, you might be tempted to pour it all down the drain.

But there is hope.

God never changes.

I remember the first time I heard James 1:17, “Every good gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (NIV).

God doesn’t change?

I inhaled, taking in the verse’s scent. Really? Everything changes. Shadows. Life. Even milk. The only thing we can count on is change.

In my heart, I had internalized the fact that some people are sour. My life experiences had taught me I couldn’t rely on anyone because I never knew how they’d react or even if they’d be there for me. My lips might say God never changed, but my heart didn’t believe it. Wasn’t God like my earthly father? One day, caring and helpful. The next day, angry and yelling. What father would I get today?

Yet, over time, I’ve learned that the Bible is true. God never changes. You don’t have to worry about him turning sour or rancid. He’s always the same. He doesn’t have mood swings. His emotions are well placed. Angry with injustice, yet not willing that any should be destroyed. With God, you know he’s always acting in your best interest. He’s the safe haven you can cling to.

God is the heavenly father we all need. He’s not fickle. He’s not milk. He’s much better.

“For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6, ESV).

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