Move or Move Me!
Today, I am thinking about the many times I have moved and the many people I have met. It’s interesting to me how as part of God’s plan, we have lived in so many great places and been involved in some dynamic churches.
I believe when you are walking in the center of His will, God has His hand on every little thing as well as every big thing!!
Here is an example of that:
About ten years ago, we were living in Las Cruces, NM. We had just built the home of our dreams and I was involved in a wonderful church that was filled with people that I still call “family” today. There was a group of Spirit filled women who I became friends with. We had so much in common and I knew these relationships would last through eternity. We had kids the same ages, we had so much in common. I remember thinking how awesome it was going to be to raise our then preteens into adulthood together. We all believed the same things for our children, so it was perfect and comfortable. Comfortable- when you get comfortable, it is then that God moves you!
The move came. Even when you know it is God’s will for you to do something, it can still be difficult. However knowing it’s what you need to do, you move forward. So we packed up, sold our house, said some tearful goodbyes and moved to Georgia. We moved to a beautiful island where the people were so friendly. Immediately my children started looking for a church, as they will not miss a Wednesday or Sunday or any other meeting day!! We found one and connected immediately. I prayed for good friends as I was missing my old ones. The first three people we met had some connection to New Mexico, or at least new where it was!! That warmed my heart and I thanked God for that blessing.
After being in Georgia for a few year (and meeting some of the most influential and genuine people in my life) God sent us back to New Mexico, but this time to Albuquerque. This, I later realized, would be a learning experience for me like no other. Again I missed my Georgia friends, we had become so close. The first three people I met in Albuquerque had ties to Georgia, in particular the area where I had moved from! I felt like God was whispering a hug just for me!
Leaving New Mexico was not difficult for me because the next move was to another country, the adventure of my lifetime! I was excited and ready. Living in a beautiful city and like royalty was living like heaven on earth! The hardest thing to learn on this move was how to live in two worlds. On the one hand, we lived in a community surrounded by wealth, celebrities and luxury. On the other hand, we had the opportunity to reach those in some of the poorest areas of the city.
Yes, in another country I met people who were from New Mexico and even a couple who grew up just a few miles from the small town I grew up in! That was wild! Again, a God-hug!
Leaving Colombia was bittersweet. I knew God had yet another place where he needed us to be. So He sent us to Houston, TX. I had to keep repeating “I trust you God” for a few weeks! We found an incredible church and attended membership class. What I am about to tell you is unbelievable for me and I was there, so I know what you must be thinking. But it’s true: the couple that sat next to us at the class-and by the way there were over 150 people in this class as this is an enormous church-were from the same city that we had just moved from in Colombia, South America!!!!
To know that the Creator of the universe cares for each of us so deeply and so richly, makes me want to love others as He has loved me.
With whispers of love and genuine sincerity.
Thanking God for putting His arms around me!
