Recharging and Getting Ready for Change!

I am not good at change.  Never have been.  Oh, how I have been tested in this area!

I have moved from house to house.  Sometimes I could not wait to move.  Other times it almost broke my heart.  But through those moves, God provided ways to show me home is where my family is.  And He continued to show me that living in a fixer upper may not be so bad in a lot of ways.  And He has shown me that location is sometimes more important for what is going to happen - whether it's where school or work is...or a hospital close by.

I have changed jobs.  I have changed my schedule.  Sometimes it has been better, but sometimes it has been really challenging.  At my age, I have learned to be a little more patient and look forward to what is next when I don't already know.  But sometimes, I just want to stay where I am and not change!

Pete has changed jobs.  That did not always affect me, but it sure has in the last few years.  But again, God has shown me that not everything is forever and He will provide.  He will also bring about opportunities that would not have been taken if we had stayed in the same spot and not been willing to move.

So when I thought about change last year, I did not even think about church.  It just never occurred to me.  But here it is.  A big change.  Pete answered a call to ministry last year.  I shared with him something that was on my heart, and he listened politely and did not think about it much again.  And it has resurfaced - just in time to be a way that God shows me that His timing is perfect.  I won't address my idea in this post.  I will write about it as it unfolds.  And I call it "my" idea, but I know it did not really come from me!

When he was given an opportunity a few weeks ago to preach at a small baptist church near Tweetsie, I was happy for him but did not even begin to think that Sunday would again bring big change into my life.

When the pastor search committee offered him the church, we prayed; but I did not think he (we) would go.  He was doing so much already at OUR church.  And I had recently taken over his Sunday School class so he could do more.  I knew people needed him, and I was not that concerned about change.

Surprise.  It has been a journey already, and he starts next Sunday.  We have been going to Sunday School at our church and then church at the new church.  Pete took on another Sunday School class that was only a month long.  I realized a couple of weeks ago that I have not seen my church members for weeks because I have to hurry out after Sunday School.  I love seeing the people in my class, but I have missed a lot of others.  And it has made me sad.  It's been a quick and unexpected change.  Too fast for me to handle all at once.

We have been welcomed with open arms at our new church.  And I am thankful for those people and the opportunities and excitement there.  But it has been hard for me to move on without having much transition time.  Not much at all.

I know God has been changing my heart.  He has been helping me be more willing instead of feeling sorry for me.  I have gradually let up on the brakes that I put on full force when Pete dared say he felt called to the new church.  I felt like he would listen to reason.  Listen to some friends.  But he prayed and felt he needed to listen to God.  How can I argue with that?

So in this big change, I am trying to see the things I need to be doing.  I am looking for the signs that He gives me that not only will things be okay but assurance that He is with me.  As I looked down the pew in church this morning, I had five (not four!) handsome young men with me listening to their dad and uncle.  I know that I need to be where they are.

It can be a lonely time.  Just a quick word of advice when someone answers the call to ministry.  Don't laugh.  Don't tell them you are glad it's them and not you.  Don't make it seem like a curse.  It may be you one day - if you are called AND you are willing.  I know God has great plans.  I know He will guide us if we look to Him.  I am working on being "strong and courageous" during this change.  I am looking to draw closer to my husband and my boys.  Pete tells me to keep looking to Him.  He keeps reminding me that He is the One who will not let me down.  He will fill me with joy in Him.

Please pray for us as we start a new ministry, one I feel so unqualified to be part of.  I want to be an obedient servant and draw others to the One and Only Way.  I want to be a light for Him.

So in the midst of all of this, I decided to treat myself to a quick trip to some outlets that I like.  I sang and sang in the car and probably looked ridiculous to anyone who passed me!  But it was a good time.  A quick trip.  Then I listened to several Beth Moore teachings on the way home.  I felt a little more recharged and refreshed.  Not from the shopping but from the time with the Lord in the car by myself.  I will learn what to do to get away quickly and make time to have some time.