Moving

"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going" -Heb. 11:8

Webster defines moving as "changing from one position to another." Changing positions is never easy. Whether we're driving our cars to the store or running down the track, moving always requires effort. It's simply easier to stay put. Not moving needs little effort while moving requires energy. But when the move is positive, it brings blessing with it. We spent the past week helping move Elizabeth, Mark and Reese to Des Moines, Iowa. We had never been to Iowa and found ourselves very impressed with the people and the atmosphere there. But anyway you slice it, moving is difficult. Change is difficult. Why? Because we like to put our security in where we are. If we're not careful, we can miss out on God's better plan somewhere else. Moving means we leave some things behind. As we packed Elizabeth and family, we filled the largest U-Haul, a flat bed trailer and several vehicles with "stuff." But we didn't pack it all. They decided to give some things away and to trash some things too. They left it behind. They discovered that they didn't need everything they possessed. They needed to leave some things behind. Moving also means we gain things for the future. As we moved them into their new home in Des Moines, we were so excited. Their home is wonderful and nicer than their home in Columbia. They lost some things but gained even more. Moving motivated by God beings new opportunities and blessing. Moving means we say good-bye to friends. When we leave where we've been, separating from those we love is difficult. Dear friends and family that we love and cherish stay put while we move on. Elizabeth, Mark and even Reese had to say bye to friends who were dear to their hearts. The day-to-day dependency we develop on God-given friends is hard to release, but a part of the process. But moving means we make new friends. Nearly every neighbor near Elizabeth's home came by to say, "Welcome to the neighborhood." And they already have a dear family that has adopted them. As they plug into a new church, new friendships will develop. Friends they don't even know yet are waiting to be ushered in under God's perfect timing. Moving means we disconnect. We say bye to all we've grown accustomed to living with. Where we eat, the teams we cheer for, the weather, and the people. So much is different where we're going. The language and the culture are different. Elizabeth and Mark are from the south and there were concerns about moving above the Mason-Dixon line. But moving means we reconnect. While in Des Moines, we found the people were actually very nice. We found MacDonald's and even a Chick-Fil-A. We even heard the "southern" Cicada's chirping at night. It was a lot like home and the people were so, so friendly. Previous friends remain friends forever, as they come to visit when they can. Moving is a challenge but staying put when God says, "go" is worse. We're so proud of Elizabeth, Mark and Reese for following God's plan, even though it's difficult. We already see how the Lord is blessing their move. God always blesses those who yield to His will, whether there's a Chick-Fil-A there or not. By Eric Joseph Staples © www.parentingyourteen101.com