Even when we receive something that doesn't seem good, we can be grateful because we know there is more to it than we can see. What seems like an imperfect gift may be the means by which God perfects us. - Julie Ackerman Link
This week marks the one year anniversary of our big Texas adventure. We have been in our new home 365 days. Funny...it feels like we're still getting settled.
What an adventure it has been! Looking back over all the Lord has done, the highs and lows and the lessons learned, I think I can honestly say I wouldn't change a thing. He has used what at the time seemed an imperfect gift, to continue to perfect us as individuals and as a family. While it hasn't always been an easy road and there are still times I wonder why He moved us so far from home, He continues to reassure us that we are exactly where we are suppose to be.
I recently sat and read back over the journal I kept during those first months. Two prevailing themes jumped off the pages - loneliness and trust. Leaving so many friends and family left a huge hole in our lives. I was lonely, plain and simple. Little did I know what the Lord had in store.
Over the next few months He began to pour friendship into my life in ways I could never have imagined. He has filled the gaping hole of loneliness with deep, abiding friendship. Now I feel doubly blessed with friends on both sides of the Texas - Idaho divide!
The biggest lesson I would say I've learned is TRUST. Over those months of loneliness, I would pour my heart out to the Lord, but I always tried to end with praise. I knew in my heart that despite my sorrow at that moment, God had a perfect plan (Jeremiah 29:11). My job was to trust Him. When I could do nothing else, I could trust. He is true to His Word and continues to work all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
Do I understand His plan? Nope! Can I trust Him anyway? You bet!
This week marks the one year anniversary of our big Texas adventure. We have been in our new home 365 days. Funny...it feels like we're still getting settled.
What an adventure it has been! Looking back over all the Lord has done, the highs and lows and the lessons learned, I think I can honestly say I wouldn't change a thing. He has used what at the time seemed an imperfect gift, to continue to perfect us as individuals and as a family. While it hasn't always been an easy road and there are still times I wonder why He moved us so far from home, He continues to reassure us that we are exactly where we are suppose to be.
I recently sat and read back over the journal I kept during those first months. Two prevailing themes jumped off the pages - loneliness and trust. Leaving so many friends and family left a huge hole in our lives. I was lonely, plain and simple. Little did I know what the Lord had in store.
Over the next few months He began to pour friendship into my life in ways I could never have imagined. He has filled the gaping hole of loneliness with deep, abiding friendship. Now I feel doubly blessed with friends on both sides of the Texas - Idaho divide!
The biggest lesson I would say I've learned is TRUST. Over those months of loneliness, I would pour my heart out to the Lord, but I always tried to end with praise. I knew in my heart that despite my sorrow at that moment, God had a perfect plan (Jeremiah 29:11). My job was to trust Him. When I could do nothing else, I could trust. He is true to His Word and continues to work all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
Do I understand His plan? Nope! Can I trust Him anyway? You bet!
Dear Ang,
ReplyDeleteI rejoice with you at how the Lord has provided special friends for you in Texas but even more how He has comforted you in your loneliness. I continue to pray for you as you settle in. It always takes me a while too.
Happy Day!
Julie
That's a wonderful post. I was just thinking that some news may not be good now, but it will be in the big picture.
ReplyDeleteThis really encouraged me today, thank you. I need to trust Him more for safe friendships.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever considered this? If we understood, if we knew exactly what He was doing, we wouldn't have to trust.
ReplyDeleteWe know God is good and everything He does is good, so we trust Him for the things we cannot understand.
*calm sigh*
Hello! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your comment. It sounds like you don't really need Krispy Kreme if you make homemade donuts. Yum.
ReplyDeleteI had a similar experience when we moved to where we are living now. My oldest was 4 weeks old and we were moving away from all our friends and family. Like you, God blessed us with wonderful "family" like friends.