So here it is, regardless if it's what I want or not, tis the season to uproot and a time to weep, but in the end a time to embrace and build.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity
under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time
to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace."
After talking about it, my husband and I have decided we will rent out our home instead of outright selling it so that when retirement comes we have the option to return "home", which makes this time of transition a little bit easier. I love that I am not having to close a door instead we are crossing the threshold of another, while this one remains open to us - happy median. So maybe this too can be a time to embrace the change of a new place and a new home with a new church family.
I must admit, it is strange renting this time, instead of selling like we did our last home. I still have an interest in this home and by not letting go it's harder to "loan" it out. Our property has been listed for three days and already we've had one showing and another tomorrow. The first showing went well and we may be hearing back from them (which would be a beautiful blessing, prayers welcome)
While showing these lovely people (really, they were great) asked if we would be willing to change paint colors in certain rooms, which if I were selling it no big deal ... but I like my kitchen yellow and my bedroom sky blue. When I come home I want it to still be the cheery kitchen I love to cook in and the peaceful sky blue bedroom that makes me feel like I'm sleeping on clouds in the sky. I know so childish, I will grow up and we will change the face of our walls by making them neutral beiges and blahs but here I am taking just a minute to mourn (attempt at being slightly funny - no real tears over this, just that knee jerk reaction that change inspires in most us - change does this to you too right?)
I am loathe to leave home (no this is not my hometown, but by all means this is home to me) because this is where my husband found Jesus and here is where his walk began. We have a church home and family we love and enjoy being a part of, it has been one of the most wonderful blessings yet. I think of this verse:
1 Corinthians 7:20
"Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him" and
1 Corinthians 7:24
"Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to."
The reason I think of these verses is because this Bible believing blessed church is where his walk with the Lord began and leaving isn't the same as staying where you're called. Granted it says nothing of physically staying put, just keeping your situation, which that we are.
We were a military family then and we are now. We also have faith and a family that has Christ as the cornerstone and that will continue to be the same. We will also find a new church to love and a new church family to be a part of, I know that - God is good all the time, but it's still a little painful to leave.
This is not even our first move and so just like always, I will focus forward, have faith and find new things to love about our new place because after all our littles are watching and taking their cue from me and because of that I am spreading joy and thoughts of new adventures and places to explore.
What about you, how do you joyfully embrace change? I am looking forward to hearing it, please share.
As always, God bless!
