A Calling Out, A Calling Up

There have been only a few times in my life I have been completely thrown for a loop.  I mean turned inside out and upside down.  I find myself in one of those times now.  We're moving.  That may not seem like a big deal to many people, but it is to us.  Particularly as I consider how it all came about...I know, that I know, God is moving us, moving in this circumstance, and moving in my life.

It's ironic really.  Just a few short weeks ago I was encouraging a friend who is also moving to be willing to stretch herself and allow others to be present at this time of transition in her life, rather than seclude herself (which is her natural 'bent').  Good advice...but now I find myself needing to take it and I never dreamed we'd be in this role reversal.  It's far easier just to put my head down, to dig in and muscle through this time.  It seems as though it would be less painful to do it that way.  Yet I know pain brings a great deal of beauty if you embrace it's power to transform rather than attempt to avoid or run from it.

On October 25th my husband lost his job.  Things hadn't been great there for awhile, but we had no idea this was coming.  Exactly one week later, he was interviewing for a position out-of-state due to a connection with a business colleague and friend.  He had done this in the past and my attitude was always, "See where it leads and how God leads."  That's much easier when it's just words.  A few days after the interview, Jim had a job offer.  It was a great offer, an excellent opportunity AND they really wanted him.  Now what?  We prayed, did our homework regarding the cost of a move and prayed some more.  A little more than a week after the offer came, Jim accepted the job.  Four days (yes, days) after he accepted the offer, we accepted an offer on our house and began the hunt for a home in Minnesota.  Five weeks to the day Jim lost his job, the offer we made on a home was accepted.  If someone had told me five weeks and one day prior to that all that would happen, I wouldn't have believed it.  

We will celebrate Christmas here in the home both Jim and I have known for all of our lives, then head off to where God is leading us.  Our family is here, our friends and spiritual family are here, our homeschooling support is here, familiar and "known" is here.  As painful as it will be to leave, I also find myself hopeful and excited about where God is leading.  It won't be easy, but I know the work my Father does is always for my good and I am always blessed by it.

So now I find myself in the uncomfortable position of asking for help in packing and preparing.  I find myself dreading the good-byes that have already begun and will continue to come.  However, I also feel full, content and blessed because I know this overwhelming pain is due to the abundant love we have experienced in this place.  I would much rather walk through this pain because we have been loved, than to avoid it by not having loved at all.