The Johnson's Are Moving
At moments moving has its perks. I think we all can agree there are other moments that tend to put strain on our souls, especially when you have no control over when and how it happens.
Like I mentioned in my very first post, my husband has just gotten started in his career of being a collegiate level coach and so far it has been one change after another. I've really never been one who is bad with change. I get excited about the new things that await me like decorating a new space, discovering stores near by, seeing unfamiliar faces and making them familiar, and certainly making the rounds to all the fantastic restaurants I've never tried. As year after year passes, however, I find myself getting more and more antsy to settle in one spot long enough to make a home let alone just breathe.
There are things about change that mean couponing at a Rite Aid instead of a CVS. (Ha ha! Yes, this intimidates me.) It also means goodbyes, and packing; feeling alone, and slightly overwhelmed. After all, didn't I just get settled in this wonderful town?
My husband's new job is only an hour from where we currently live, and though that hour may not sound major, it yields the difference between a friend stopping by for coffee and, well, no 'just stopping by's.
Major life adjustments can provide lessons though that some do not have the opportunity to experience. I get to know myself better. I get to know my husband better. I get to know Jesus a little better as well.
Through the challenges of this past year, moving over a days drive from any family, transferring a newborn preemie across the country, financial burdens, marital arguments up the wazoo, and so much more I don't care to name, I have learned a valuable take away I just couldn't have encountered had we stayed where we were.
" Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
James 1:2-4
Of course.
I always failed to see how we as Christ followers could consider trial 'joy.' What do I just fake my way through it? Do I put on a brave face and pretend every moment is glorious? Endure every heart wrenching fight with my husband and afterward do a happy dance (can you imagine? Ha ha!)? Am I to laugh my way through the times I want to just even look upon my sisters, if just for two seconds? Or hey, I suppose I could clap my hands and jump up and down the times I didn't know how rent would get paid?
I'm being extreme, but honestly, have you ever wondered how you'd do it?
Let me tell you, the rest of the verse is where the so called 'secret' lies.
We are so content with living half way as to not offend anyone or feel any discomfort ourselves. I'm sorry. The hard truth is there must be trials. We will feel sad, alone, defenseless, like we can't do anything right, angry, hurt... but joy. Yes, but joy. It unfortunately is not for everyone, only those who choose to say 'yes' to the testing. Those who say 'Okay, my way is wrong. Let's learn.' The joy comes through who we become in the trials. Because I promise, there are few feelings better than the one where we come out stronger. Where we come out closer than ever to our spouse. Where we come out more understanding of the things people face day to day that we didn't care to notice before. The times we come out the other side just plain better. This was only possible for me to really come face to face with because of God saying "Go," and a husband saying "Yes," and a whole lot of stormy storms after that. Lightning will strike, thunder will roar, rain falls when we just want to enjoy our pretty garden in the light of day. Don't forget how it gets that pretty. Its growth was not engaged by light alone.
There is so much joy in that, knowing it doesn't end when we face difficulty but it can get better. Wow!
If you have faced trials past or present, and feel like you had a missed opportunity to let God do an amazing work in you, please, just let Him know. Talk to Him like a friend and allow Him to be the Potter, ever molding you and I into masterpieces. Be a masterpiece. Lack nothing, and do not settle for less.
My mummy heart has spoken. Thank you for listening.
Like I mentioned in my very first post, my husband has just gotten started in his career of being a collegiate level coach and so far it has been one change after another. I've really never been one who is bad with change. I get excited about the new things that await me like decorating a new space, discovering stores near by, seeing unfamiliar faces and making them familiar, and certainly making the rounds to all the fantastic restaurants I've never tried. As year after year passes, however, I find myself getting more and more antsy to settle in one spot long enough to make a home let alone just breathe.
There are things about change that mean couponing at a Rite Aid instead of a CVS. (Ha ha! Yes, this intimidates me.) It also means goodbyes, and packing; feeling alone, and slightly overwhelmed. After all, didn't I just get settled in this wonderful town?
My husband's new job is only an hour from where we currently live, and though that hour may not sound major, it yields the difference between a friend stopping by for coffee and, well, no 'just stopping by's.
Major life adjustments can provide lessons though that some do not have the opportunity to experience. I get to know myself better. I get to know my husband better. I get to know Jesus a little better as well.
Through the challenges of this past year, moving over a days drive from any family, transferring a newborn preemie across the country, financial burdens, marital arguments up the wazoo, and so much more I don't care to name, I have learned a valuable take away I just couldn't have encountered had we stayed where we were.
" Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
James 1:2-4
Of course.
I always failed to see how we as Christ followers could consider trial 'joy.' What do I just fake my way through it? Do I put on a brave face and pretend every moment is glorious? Endure every heart wrenching fight with my husband and afterward do a happy dance (can you imagine? Ha ha!)? Am I to laugh my way through the times I want to just even look upon my sisters, if just for two seconds? Or hey, I suppose I could clap my hands and jump up and down the times I didn't know how rent would get paid?
I'm being extreme, but honestly, have you ever wondered how you'd do it?
Let me tell you, the rest of the verse is where the so called 'secret' lies.
We are so content with living half way as to not offend anyone or feel any discomfort ourselves. I'm sorry. The hard truth is there must be trials. We will feel sad, alone, defenseless, like we can't do anything right, angry, hurt... but joy. Yes, but joy. It unfortunately is not for everyone, only those who choose to say 'yes' to the testing. Those who say 'Okay, my way is wrong. Let's learn.' The joy comes through who we become in the trials. Because I promise, there are few feelings better than the one where we come out stronger. Where we come out closer than ever to our spouse. Where we come out more understanding of the things people face day to day that we didn't care to notice before. The times we come out the other side just plain better. This was only possible for me to really come face to face with because of God saying "Go," and a husband saying "Yes," and a whole lot of stormy storms after that. Lightning will strike, thunder will roar, rain falls when we just want to enjoy our pretty garden in the light of day. Don't forget how it gets that pretty. Its growth was not engaged by light alone.
There is so much joy in that, knowing it doesn't end when we face difficulty but it can get better. Wow!
If you have faced trials past or present, and feel like you had a missed opportunity to let God do an amazing work in you, please, just let Him know. Talk to Him like a friend and allow Him to be the Potter, ever molding you and I into masterpieces. Be a masterpiece. Lack nothing, and do not settle for less.
My mummy heart has spoken. Thank you for listening.
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