21. Start

My 31 Free Writes for October play out like a serial love story in an old time magazine. It’s the saga of a young woman and how God leads her to the love of her life. Each day offers new developments in a romance only the Lord could write.

********

There are times in life when I wished the Lord had given me heads up about what was coming ‘round the bend. Then there are other times when I’m sure glad He didn’t. Seems I can’t ever be happy that way.

As David and I settled into his one bedroom efficiency apartment situated at the end of the office wing in the church he served, we made plans on where our next home would be. How much could we afford for the needs we had? What was required for the next step in preparing for ministry? Did we have a future in the Chicago suburbs, or did God have other plans?

We found out that if you want a straight answer from God it’s best to be honest about your questions. Give God your pledge to follow Him wholeheartedly and you will find Him wholly trustworthy. Our promise was that we would go (gulp) anywhere He called us, as long as He made it clear that He was leading.

So, on January 2, just 2 ½ months after getting married, we moved to a new place for both of us, south of St. Louis, MO, so David could begin his seminary training. Picture a rocket hurtling through the atmosphere, vanishing in the clouds.

We launched into the future, side by side, holding onto God and the vows we made in His Presence. If there was one thing I knew for sure about this new hubby of mine it was that he had his eyes on Jesus and wanted to serve Him in whatever way he could.

This would be the first in a series of 12 launches into the unknown for me and David. Whether it was for a secular job or for ministry, being new in town became a thing for me. We’ve lived coast to coast, covering 7 states. It’s been a sometimes tortuous, mostly awkward, and definitely stretching-my-comfort-zones kind of thing. I like to say that that our tag line is, “Get married. See the world!”

Here’s the overarching truth I’ve found - every new start prompted a new array of challenges with just as many new facets of God’s Grace for each one. There has never been a time when God hasn’t met me at every point of my need.
​
If you are beginning again and wonder how you’re going to keep your sanity, ask Jesus for grace and wisdom. He delights to lavish His Grace on you.
 
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

---