It has been a wonderful experience. I had never been to this state, so I was pleasantly surprised to see the beautiful rolling hills, the mountains, and just the lush-ness of the region. On a sunny spring day, it is not uncommon to think to oneself, "Ahh, indeed, this is God's country ". That didn't take much getting used to at all, however, the inches-upon-inches of snow, this past winter, did. But more than that, there is something that I'm still wrestling with. . .and that is the transience of the town in which I live. For someone who lived in the same city all of her life, except during the college years (yes, I was on the 5-year plan), I was not prepared for this. I live in a small college town on campus, so I expected student families to come and go. Or, so I thought. I guess I figured that everyone we met would be here for the same length of time as us. Uhhh. . . no, that is not the case. We have not been here a full year yet and we know of nine families who have moved or will be moving soon. Four of those are non-student families. One family is even moving to another country! And these are people that I have gotten to know and appreciate. I'm not the most outgoing person, so it is rather difficult for me to make friends. The friendships I have (from the Midwest) took years to cultivate into what they are now. So, what's a girl to do? While I do love it here, I'm almost afraid to lay down any roots, because we plan to move again once my husband graduates and I'll just have to cut them (the roots). . .yet again. Well, I had to take this situation to the Lord in prayer, because, believe it or not, this kind of thing can be rather traumatic.
Through His Word and various sermons, I felt the Lord reminding me that this is not my home. Not the Pacific Northwest. Not the Midwest, either. This earth is not my home. Heaven is. So, any roots I lay down anywhere on this earth will be cut or plucked up when I leave it, and only He knows when that will be. Yet, we were created to be in community with one another. . .to encourage one another, to support one another, even if only for a season. So my "solution" is really not a solution. Instead, I am reminded to continue in God's work; to trust Him in the areas in which I am being "stretched", knowing that He will be there for me when "it" is hard, or when "it" gets to be too much to take, or I'm just sad when He moves another person/family to take on another "assignment" somewhere else. Now, that's not really what I wanted to hear, but I'll take it. . .because I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
My point is that it is so easy to get caught up into the things of this world, good and bad, but it is imperative to keep in mind that this is all temporary. Don't stop what you're doing, unless it is not pleasing to God, but rather do what you're doing as unto the Lord and do what you're doing in light of eternity.
Suggestion: Take a look and a listen to the lyrics of "Not Home Yet" by Stephen Curtis Chapman.
