Our family recently moved, and without fail, every person we meet asks us the same question, "So, why did you move here? What brought you here?" In the beginning of this journey, it was overwhelming and there were so many things that led up to our move across the states, out to the middle of the ocean (as my Mom says.) As we look back now, we can see the many ways God was preparing us for such a time as this. But when God first said, "Go", it was overwhelming and hard to explain all the circumstances and "signs" and affirmations we were given to go.
In those first few weeks when people would ask us "why are you moving?" we explained the best we could put our own words to, the how of our move, and some of our why. It was overwhelming equally for us yet there was such an urgency (aka:time crunch) to go that there wasn't a lot of time to sit and doubt, question, second guess or fear (which we often tend to do). The call was clear to both of us and to our 4 kids. That in itself is a miracle!! It's not too often you get everyone on board with something, especially something so "radical." We would fumble through trying to explain this crazy "idea" and found "the story" thrilling and daring, exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time. All we knew was that we knew we had to go.
After explaining it time after time to family and friends the best we could, the story got shorter and shorter. We realized how crazy it must sound to others, and yet the reality of it to us, made sense...kind of. It's often hard to express the ways and whys of God's moving in our hearts and spirits, but ya know that ya know what He is telling you to do when you are intentionally and desperately asking Him. Ask, Seek, Knock!! Each time we shared, we were hearing it for ourselves too. It's almost like God wanted us to really hear what was happening in our own lives, in our own words, so that it could sink in.
The story we told began to take less time to tell because we realized the bottom line was that we didn't fully understand why God was asking us to make such a big move (in our little world anyway). And yet, we did. He knew that for many years it was our heart's desire to take a family adventure and live for a short period of time somewhere we loved to travel to. And here we were, headed out on such an Adventure! We didn't know how God was going to move and provide for us, but we knew He would. Bottom line, God was saying "Now is the time. Go."
Within a few short weeks, we were packed up and on the road with a moving truck, 4 kids and 2 dogs, and tons of snacks, and even more prayers (and might I add amazing prayers and encouragements from soooo many we love!!!!)! After 3 days of travel, we arrived!
When locals greet us, it is same question, "Why?" The answer is easy, short and sweet...God moved us here. It is a time of adventure and a time of healing/rebuilding/reconnecting. He has graced us over time and revealed to us some of the whys in each of our lives individually and as a family unit why we needed such an uprooting. We were comfortable and in control and a bit lazy and neglectful in our first calling of ministry which was to our own family, in our own strength (warning flag), to walk according to what we knew was right, only to find that we were on sinking sand (a term I now understand...)
We knew from the beginning that God was calling us to a harvest pruning and we needed new soil to regenerate new, healthier roots. Much like an addict who sometimes needs to leave where they are at, refocus, relearn, break old habits and establish new ones before they can return back home, clean and strong, we felt we had gotten to the same point that we were self destructing on the inside and God drew a line in the sand and said "Let's go. Follow Me."
No, I don't think that you have to literally move to reconnect and refocus on the Lord. We all face seasons of pruning and planting and harvesting right where we are, and we have been doing this for almost 30 years in Texas. This is also a time of Adventure, yes, but it comes at a time of necessary pruning. God certainly has our attention as He answers an old heart's desire while rebuilding another which is to more glorify and honor Him in all we say, think and do. Again, I could go on and on, and maybe another blog later, but for hundreds of reasons we surely can't fully know, He said, "Get up and go."
So where did we go? I will share in the next blog how God revealed to us where we needed to go, and we are humbled and grateful to be spending our year here in a land far, far away!
So why am I sharing this with you? I share all of this to get you to consider your own story. Why are you doing what you are doing? Why are you where you are at? Why do you do what you do? Is there anything in your life or family you know you should be doing but aren't? Are you intentionally asking God, who created your life plan in the first place, to lead you or are you trying to make it your own? The answer seems so simple until you stop and consider the answers physically, emotionally and spiritually of who and what you are. You are living out "your story." How would you explain it?
I am one of those people who absolutely love to hear other people's stories and why they are where they are in each of those areas. Moving to a new place and meeting new people certainly gives you that opportunity! But, it's a whole other thing to have to share your own. I am so thankful for each time someone asks me now, "why are you here?" because I get to tell them the wonderful story of grace that God has written.
You know, someone needs to hear your story too! You were created specifically for now, where you are physically, emotionally and spiritually, to live today reflecting His Way! If we don't take the time to check out the fruit on our own land, how will we know when it's time to prune, replant, resoil?! If we don't "dream" how will we ever live a "dream?" God knows our desires and you never know why those desires may be there. Once day, you may live it! And when it's harvest time, and if you don't take notice, trust me, God will let you know!!!
May we live each day before our Lord and in the company and accountability of those He has placed around us, humbly, faithfully, honestly and lovingly as we reflect His Amazing Grace!
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:12-17
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