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Changes
My heart is simply clay within the Potter’s skillful hands
And even though sometimes the changes frighten me
I want the truth of His Word to keep shaping who I am
Because I know that He does all things perfectly
So all my thoughts and all my attitudes
They’re all His to change as He wants to”Just As I Am,” from Songs In The Night
Those lyrics fit my life perfectly these days. I experienced more changes in 2010 than in any other year of my life, most of them wonderful. This past year brought the launch of this website, the release of the Songs In The Night series and the start of a new branch of ministry. I also became engaged to the most wonderful, Godly man I’ve ever met and as I began preparing for a wedding, I attended the funeral of my Mamaw, who was a tremendous influence upon my life.
Change is good, but change can be scary. Change is necessary and unavoidable. Change is a constant.
(I’ll confess something here. Sometimes the changes are a bit overwhelming. It’s a lot to get used to all at once.)
Why are we so afraid of change? If we didn’t grow and change, we would die. But even death is a change too. We can’t even die to escape change. If it’s such a normal part of life, why do we think it’s so bad?
Change invites the unknown. Change is a risk. Change is a loss of control. Is it possible that our fear and dislike of change is really a symptom of our desire to do things our way without God?
As I move forward into a new season of life, I’m thankful that God brings changes into our lives. He’s teaching me to hold His hand, He’s showing me His amazing love and opening up a world of possibilities. He brings change to our lives to bring about change in us. If things are changing in your life, be thankful. He loves us too much to leave us the way we are.
Click HERE for the whole song!
It is surreal that your post topic is about change. I have been struggling with some wonderful and scary changes God has been making in my life. I made a pact to myself to study God’s word more every day and since doing this change in my daily life it is amazing and truly awesome the changes He has been making in my life. Thanks for being a wonderful Godly influence in my life and this post has given me some confirmation about the changes I know God is making in mine. Praying for you and you begin your new and exciting changes….
Thanks Lauren for these words of encouragement! The song ‘Just As I Am” is my favorite on your new album, and its because of the lyrics that I love this song. Its not easy to let God make those changes, I know that I even fight Him and this song is a great reminder that we are the clay and we need to let Him mold us everyday.
Also, congratulations on your engagement! If you happen to know any single women out there, I’m still looking myself.
Mark, I have a wonderful, Godly friend you might be interested in. Please email me and I will give you details. ccampbell101@tampabay.rr.com
Change can bring worry and despair or the possibility of new opportunities and hope. My favorite verse is ” Be strong and of good courage; do not be dismayed, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you go “. Joshua 1:9 I think when we pass away we will look back over our lives and say ” What was I afraid of ? “. ” I could have done so much more for the Lord ! .
This last year 2010 has brought more change in my life than I would have ever thought! Some godd and some bad. But I got through the year. But 2011 has even more change coming up for me. Big changes. And I pray that I will handle them the way that the Lord would have me too.
Thanks, Lauren….I needed this today. There are also changes going on in my life and I needed to read these words. (Your Mom and Dad may too as the time of your wedding approaches)
But right now my brother’s wife has been given only a couple of weeks to live. She was diagnosed with liver cancer in November. He remarried about 4 years ago after his first wife of almost 40 years died suddenly from septic shock. My step-mother’s health is rapidly deteriorating (she is also in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s) and I would not be surprised to get a phone call any day about her. On the other hand there is the possibility of another new grandbaby ( we have no official word yet) 
and so the cycle goes on….. In addition to what you said about how ‘God loves us too much to leave us the way we are’ my father-in-law use to say “He loves us too much to hurt us and is too wise to make a mistake” 
Love ya!
WOW ! Lauren ! i am impressed ! you have answers for life at every juncture ! this post, “Changes” could just very well be, your most insightful ! every one of your statements/sentences is steeped in so much thoughtful wisdom ~ and to think i am twice as old, but only half as perceiving ! You got it going, kid !
may God bless you and your family
Mike
We have a young rooster at our place, that crows, and crows, and crows. It may be 5 am, or ANYTIME through the day. It sounds to me, everytime I hear him, that he is saying…”Praise the Lord”. Does that sound far-fetched? Not at all…….just read Psalm 148. It doesn’t say “roosters” exactly, but it leaves the possibility that he IS doing just that! And he is really a pretty rooster too! lol
He even crows his praise on cloudy days……………so………..why shouldn’t I ? After all, I was made in His image and likeness………and He redeemed me and called me His own!
(Tell your mom that Naomi Ruth said “hi”.)
Lauren, Thanks so much for the message. 2011 has been bringing a lot of change in my life as well. This is the first winter that we are spending 4 months in AZ so that we can be nearer to family that we don’t see very often. Also wanted to spend more time with our only grandchild who is now 1 1/2 years old.
Life indeed is all about changes. We are also looking at a different church as the one we belong to is not preaching the true word of God. We know that God will lead us to one that will be good for us and bless us. If there weren’t changes in our lives we indeed would not grow and I feel we would’t grow in our faith. Southern Gospel music and its message is indeed a big part of our lives and we listen to the music every day. God bless you in your future endevors and God bless your forth coming marriage. Thanks again for this strong message Lauren.
Hi Lauren, I love the “Just As I Am” song on your album. It is powerful and true. We are so very happy that the Lord has brought this Godly man into your life. We pray the Lord will bless you both as you prepare for the wedding and more importantly the changes that marriage will bring into your life.
Hi, Lauren!
The only thing that is consistent in this life is change. I remember being your age and changes that occurred seemed so dramatic and impacted me in such a deep way. I am now in my 40′s, and I have learned that as long as we live, there will be changes…constantly. We might as well prepare ourselves and accept it, continually knowing that if we are saved, we are under God’s umbrella of grace. He is covering us continually. The other day, our little boy and I were walking out of Walmart into the rain. I was holding this huge, black umbrella over both of us. I looked down at him and said, “Zach, If you’re walking in the rain, it’ best to stay as close as you can to the one who’s holding the umbrella!!” I thought, “Wow!” that is how we need to be with God. Life is fill of change, but He’s already prepared for the rainy days, and He’s got us covered. But, we won’t feel His love if we don’t walk close to Him and allow Him to shield and protect us. Congratulations on your engagement, Lauren! Marriage is the most wonderful, earthly union and relationship. We’ve been married 22 1/2 years, and my husband is STILL and always will be my best friend. I’d rather be with him than anyone else on earth. I hope your marriage can be that way, too! The secret is putting Jesus first, and your husband next….always…no matter what. Take care, and God bless!
Hey Lauren! I can relate to the change thing first hand. I don’t know that most of them were positive at the time, but now that I’ve been through it all as crazy as it might sound I think it was a good thing for me. Lauren and her family know me pretty well, but for those reading that don’t know me, I went through two job layoffs in one year, then a year of unemployment with seemingly endless job hunting. I know I submitted well over 100 job applications with hardly any prospects. Through that year I can say without a doubt God provided faithfully in many different ways, sometimes very unusual ways. That alone could constitute for another post on it’s own. I admit I had some moments that I had to really fight bitterness over some of the things that had been done to me, and some days even a certain degree of depression after submitting so many applications and getting the door slammed in my face countless times. I honestly never thought I would have to go through that sort of thing. I always figured that sort of thing always happened to the other guy, not me. WOW! Did I ever get a wake up call. The Lord helped me through it all though. Quite often he worked through family and friends either giving me side work or just a phone call just to check up and give me a word of encouragement, which meant more to me than most of them will ever know. A while back when I was interviewing for my current job, the plant manager who was interviewing me asked me a question. I can’t really remember the words, but he basically asked me to name one of the most positive learning experiences in my life. I told him about my experience over the past couple years of being laid off and being unemployed. He kind of looked at me with amazement that I would count unemployment a positive experience. I think after going through these past couple of years it’s made me extremely grateful for everything that I have and made me see the Lord’s faithfulness and provision in a way I never saw it before. It’s pretty easy to take simple everyday things for granted ( like a job) until you don’t have them. I can’t say I’m exactly where I would like to be presently, but I’m employed again and actually making more than I’ve made in any of my previous jobs. All in all I can now count it all a good thing. The Lord is faithful!
Sam Kerfoot
Hey Lauren! Thank you so much for these words! We all have to know gods in Controll and that he has our hands durning the frighting times and the good times! Like you said Saturday you have to trust him And you have to be willing to change. If it wasn’t for you and your help I don’t know where I would be. Thank you so much for being an inspiration to a 14 year old like me and helping me out. Your the best thank you for all u do (:
-DJ Lawley
Lauren,
Thank you for your words of encouragement. They came at a perfect time in my life. God’s grace is so good. God bless you and your future husband.
Lauren, and you all,
It’s funny to see how life affects us all and when we live that we all face the same issues. Maybe in different ways, but yet the Lord is using natural circumstances to come to His goal with us. 2010 was a terrible year for me, I lost EVERYTHING including my own “face”. The years before seemed like the best I could ever have, leading a great Christian project and I thought it would last until I’d die, I LOVED the job! Spiritual battle, depression and alcohol put an end to the greatest career I thought I could ever have and now it’s all question marks on what will come next.
Still I know that songs like “through it all”, “praise His name”, and “press on” are very true. Through it all is a song that sticks to my heart because I KNOW and believe and am learning to TRUST that His hand was carrying me through it all to show me that although nothing is sure in this life, although we mess up, although life isn’t fair, HE IS ALWAYS THERE and I already have that ONE SECURITY that no one can ever take away and that’s His love and the promise of Heaven!
It’s great to see that you have your fears too, you look so strong, but it’s good to see that you are scared,even if you are successful, because then you need to depend on the Lord and He wants us to! You are a great lady and I hope that the Lord will continue to bless and use you for His glory!
Love from Holland, Jacky
Just a little something yet… I said I lost everything but that isn’t true, it just felt like that, but actually even then, although I didn’t see it, there was still much to be thankful for!…
Also now, when I don’t have a paid job yet, financial problems and still battle a little with lack of energy, there IS a lot to be thankful for!
Love again, me:)
Lauren,
I wanted to thank you again for speaking at our church last Sunday. Your inspirational story touched so many and I can’t wait to start our Bible Study of your book in February. I’ll keep you posted. God Bless you.
Lisa
Lisa,
Thank you so much for the invitation to speak to your ladies. I enjoyed it so much and I was so thankful to see God working in the room. Please keep me posted on your study of Songs In The Night and if your ladies are interested, we’d love to have you join us for a future Power Study! God bless!
I was there! It was amazing (:
It was awesome Lauren! Video is great, figuring out how to get it to you! Thanks so much for coming!
Lauren,
We have had so much snow here, but we are starting our Bible study tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 7th and we have another one on Saturday the 12th. I pray that no matter what the weather, it will be God’s will for us to be able to meet and dive into your book. I can’t wait. It’s been a long time coming. Thank you for your support and prayers. I will keep you posted.
I’ve looked everywhere for that book. Is it sold in Christian book stores, or just on the website? I’d love to read it.
You are an awesome person in my eyes. I love the work you are doing. I also like the fact that your eyes are focussed on God’s eyes. May God continualy bless you.
Sorry to hear about your grandmother’s passing. I am working with Alzhiemer patients and learning that men and women have different reactions. I have to read a book and take a test. There are so many people who have family members with this disease and I have found that bible reading, talking, music and prayer helps to heal the emotions that get out of control. This will help your ministry to understand people and share this information to reach people to help the hurting through music. Congratulations on your engagement. God has big plans for you. Your parents did a great job raising you.
In Christ,
Marilyn VanHoose
Very true Lauren, The change we must face is trough His leadership in these times. I beleive He is truly getting His Bride ready… As this Gentile age is coming to an end. The change comes welcome as we are dressed and ready and all Cleaned up…. We miss you Lauren!!
Thanks for coming to Claremore! What a blessing you are to all of us. Thank you so much for being willing to travel all over the world and do everything else we can only imagine to present such awesome praise to our wonderful Lord. We will continue to pray that God’s presence becomes even more precious. Oh, His grace is so awesome! Thanks to the Talley Trio we are even more aware of it!
Lauren,
I too am going through some changes in my life. Friday a week from now I’m going to be operated on and have my first hospital stay since 2008 when I spent a total of 123 days in the hospital. I have had struggles in the last 4 months that have given me some very negative thoughts and feelings, which in turn have lost me at least 1 friend that I’ve had for 20 years or so and that leaves me feeling more insecure which I’m sure will lead to more negativity. I feel like I am going into a cave, that should be a tunnel with a light on the other end. I’m not seeing any light in my current journey and I don’t know where God is leading me. I thought he was leading me to a guy that I would eventually have a relationship with other than friendship and that the things I originally found wrong with the way I felt about this guy when I first met him were wrong. I’m now second guessing everything I’ve ever done in my whole life and wondering what to do. I think I need to get back into a study of your book and hope that you still have more to teach me that I’m not learning for myself. Please pray for me as I don’t know what to do or where to go.
Thanks.
What you said is good and it is true. Changes are a consent but GOD is not and he is a consent ROCK that will help us through the scarey parts. He may talk in a slient voice or send 1 with a loud voice. Sorry about your grandmother and congradulations on your your upcoming wedding
GOD BLESS
Jeffrey A. Mears
Change is very scary. I agree. But without it we would get stagnant & shrivel up & blow away. I’d much rather have the change.
I enjoyed seeing you in Yukon, OK recently. You guys were awesome.
Again, congrats on your engagement! I pray that you will both be very happy.
Have really enjoyed and rejoice with your music and ministry,it all has been a tru blessing.May God continue to send down his annointing on you,you are reaching so many hearts
Lauren,
I’m about to step out of high school and into college in the next few months. change seems a little scary at times. But your words of encouragement seems appropriate at this juncture. thanks for pointing out that change is required to progress in life.
Sharon
You guys were wonderful in Yukon. Thanks!
Tell your dad:
I have married off 2 daughters. Every time it is like giving a Stradivarious to a gorilla.
However, it did work out. The girls and God did well.
Congratulations!
See you in Tulsa.
Bob
Hey Lauren! I absolutely love that song! I am a senior in high school about to embark on the wonderful (but to a sheltered Christian 17-year old) scary adventure called college. The changes that will be taking place are going to be VERY frightening. At times, I am excited and ready, but there are also times I am so scared I want to crawl into my bed and disappear!!! Your album and book have helped me realize that I am not alone, and also that I have God to help me through it! Thanks for being such a great role model and sharing your story through your book and song!
Such a wonderful and perceptive understanding of change. Its a lot easier to undergo the good changes than the bad ones. Although a wedding can be wondrous and nerve wracking at the same time. Cherish every minute. I am at the stage of my life where the changes I face are negative. I lost the love of my life after 42+ years. Then 11 months later, my wonderful son was killed in an auto accident. He would have been 41 the 28th of this month. We were deprived of his music and his loving spirit.
You know of the bitterness of loosing a loved one. As another Talley, it i interesting that our branch of the family also refer to our grandparents as Mamaw and Papaw. In fact, I have the honor of being my 7 grand-kids Papaw.
Keep on singing. You have the purest voice I have ever heard!
One of the hardest things I have ever had to deal with in life is my hearing loss. I have always loved gospel music though. I have never been able to hear well but for the past 8 to 10 years it has become very difficult for me to understand the words not matter what equipment I use. This Change has had a very negative impact on my life. It is an invisible disability that no one understands much about. One thing I have found out though, God doesn’t always lead us in the right direction. Sometimes our frustrations and trials are so bad that we can’t stand on our own, moving forward seems impossible. Like the old poem footprints in the sand, it is the times that God doesn’t lead us, but instead carries us, that lets us all know that no matter what change he brings to us, with his grace we can make it through it. Don’t focus on looking forward, always look up, for he is always there. God gets the Glory!
Thanks for sharing this Lauren. It was just what I needed to hear today.
Thanks for sharing! 2010 was one of those years for me also. A lot of changes, but God was so faithful to be right there all the time. Your right He sure did change many things in me this past year. All the changes were great to experience, When God brings changes, He wants us to cling onto to Him and trust Him during these times. I, like you, look forward to a new year.
I am so grateful to God for the man he has brought into your life, you sure deserve it. You guys make a really cute couple. It was so good to see you all in Houston. Hope to see you again soon. I am continuing to pray for you all about the loss of your Mamaw. I know that times will come when you will miss her, but praise God she is now healed. Thank you for your encouraging words and for being faithful to our Savior. It is exciting to see Him work through you.
God Bless,
Seeking Him, Michelle : )
Lauren,
It’s a joy to see how God is blessing your life.
In Christ’s Love,
LT Jan
Lt Jan hope you are well
Louise
Hey Lauren! You know, I was going to sit here and write to you about how my life has changed in the past year. Then I read all of the posts before mine. Everyone is going through change of some sort, and after reading these posts it seems like my changes are just not that big of a deal to mention! Like you, I’ve had some happy changes and some sad ones. And no matter how much older I get, I am never prepared for them. You do just have to accept what comes your way and manage life as it moves along. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be hopeful and optimistic about it all. One big change for me is that I’m learning to remember to bring my changes and obstacles to God. Oh, what a difference it makes in my life when I bring whatever it is, be it changes, obstacles or problems to God. And I am trying to always remember to thank Him for my blessings and for helping me recognize what blessings are when I receive them. Lauren, does that make since to you? I have had prayers answered, big and small, and I am so grateful that I can recognize when that happens now. I am learning from you, my friend, as I have from the moment we met. You and your family are a blessing to people like me, someone who is just starting out. What a blessing to all of us who subscribe to your websites and come to see your concerts to get the power and the message of the Gospel wrapped up in your beautiful voice. I can’t wait for your next Power Study! Count me in.
Sending Big Hugs,
Love,
Lisa
hi lauren
im having a skool talent show and im going to sing she loves the broken ones . i love that song ,and it makes me think of me and my best friends abby and alyssa . i love u and hope u tells me what i showed do or if i shouldnt love me madison brooke evans
Hey Lauren! I had the best time seeing the Talley’s in Saraland AL yesterday. Y’all rocked that church! It was such a fun afternoon. Thank y’all so much.
Love,
Lisa
Hi Lauren,
Just wanted to say I have enjoyed and it has blessed me so much for the past 15 years to hear the Talley Trio, but I have to say I also love to hear your voice soar in song and Praise to God! May God bless you and your familyand keep on singing those praises!
Jarrod P.
Portland, TN
Please keep in your prayers I just lost a brother two days ago.He was hit by a drunk driver in his car.I am not doing that great. You and your family are in my prayers
Stephen I am so sorry for your lost I know how you feel I lost my only brother in sept, its hard to know you won’t see them anymore on this earth, but we will see them again someday, this gets me through the sad days a head. you and your family are in my prayers.
Louise
I love this song as well as every other song that you sing. They all have such wonderful messages. I play basketball on a high school team. So when we’re on the bus and the driver is playing music that wouldn’t have a good impact on my christian life, I’ll just plug in my headphones and take in the messages that you have in your songs. Some times, I’m even influenced to share them with the other girls on the team. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t listen to this music everyday of my life. lol I love it! thank you for sharing your gift.
-Amber Linville
Dear Lauren,
I just heard “Songs in the Night” for the first time. Wow! Andrew L. Webber eat your heart out. I sent an email also, hope you have time. Please never change, just adapt.
Happy engagement.
With great admiration for you and family,
Clark Shattuck (new fan and Gaither enthusiast)
Hi Lauren! I’m 15 years old from Oklahoma & i absolutely LOVE your music, you are most definitely my favorite singer! I would love to meet you someday, each & every one of your songs ministers to me. Singing for the Lord is my passion, & I’ve been called to the music ministry, I really look up to you!
-Jordan Grace
These words seems like it was meant for me, as I went through so much changes in the year 2010. So much heartache, pain and dissapointments. But by the Grace of God, I came out to be a stronger person.
He’s the only one that can relieve us from our troubles all we have to do is to have faith.
Lee-Ann
Jeff Mears said it best (see post on 1/27). Love to all.
Clark Shattuck
That’s so true. I’m in high school and God has already given me quite a few changes in my life that were very sudden and I wasn’t at all prepared for them!! I’m slowly learning that I can’t handle them on my own…I need to lean on God and let Him help me get through them. Thanks so much Lauren!!
I first heard you sing on the Gaither video, “Let Freedom Ring” at Carnegie Hall in New York (how old is that video?!). I’m always forwarding and rewinding the part where you sing This Land Is Your Land!
Hello Lauren! My name is Ana, from Venezuela… and i love your voice and your music… You’re a blessing for me! God bless you!
I’ve Got A Song. Will this ever be on soundtrack?
Thanks,
Odie
I’ve got a song. Okay, i found it as MP3 download. Odie
Lauren,
We have been studying your book for 3 weeks and keep having people join. I think it is touching so many. The studies have been very good and people are really opening up. Thank you so much for your book. I’ll keep you informed as to how it’s going. God Bless you and yours.
Lauren, your voice is so pungent, strong and emphatic in songs. It seems I have missed your ministration over the years having just come in contact with your materials through a friend this week. Your song “Lord I believe in you” is great. I checked you out on the NET. What an amiable lady you are. May the Lord bless you, bless your would-be husby and your ministry. Testimonies will not cease to trail your ministry as you yield yourself more and more to HIM that paid the price for your redemption. You are blessed.