Twelve years ago today, everything we owned was either in a U-Haul box van or in the back of the Excursion. We said goodbye to neighbors and friends and left Montana for our home in Arizona.
We felt like the children of Israel coming to the Promised Land. We had been marching in the wilderness for more years than we had cared to admit.
Trying to do things our way and not realizing what the Lord was directing us to do was frustrating to say the least. And all the time we “thought” we were following the Lord.
When good things would happen we would give Him glory and when times were tough we were praying and asking His direction. However, many times we would go with the thing that “seemed right” and logical instead of really waiting to see if that’s what He really wanted.
God was always faithful. His arms were always open wide and His love was always unconditional!
We can look back now and see how He did guide us even when we chose the path and how He brought us full circle to bring us Home!
Thank you Father for your faithfulness.
“You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert. 2 I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship. 3 Your love means more than life to me, and I praise you. 4 As long as I live, I will pray to you. 5 I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement like a guest at a banquet. 6 I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night. 7 You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings. 8 I stay close to you, and your powerful arm supports me.” Psalm 63:1-8 CEV
“My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” vs 8 KJV
I hear people talk about their “forever” homes. I felt I had a couple of those – once in Idaho, then in Montana and in Rio Rico. Each one felt like the place I would be for the rest of my life.
But God had a different plan. I’m so glad He did!
By moving on, our lives have been enriched by many of you reading this blog. People we would have never met or had a personal contact with. Never have I regretted leaving a place when the Lord was leading the way.
“ Abraham lived in the country that God promised to give him. He lived there like a visitor who did not belong. He did this because he had faith. He lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who also received the same promise from God. 10 Abraham was waiting for the city[a] that has real foundations. He was waiting for the city that is planned and built by God.” Hebrews 11:9-10 ERV
To quote the words of a song – “This world is not my home”. Just waiting for the city whose ruler and builder is God. The rest of this is temporary, so we live with a heavenly purpose and destiny.
While we are content to be here and doing what the Lord desires, placing greater value on heavenly things will cause us to avoid greed and jealousy.
Following hard after the Lord – the only way!