The Hope That Tomorrow Will Bring

Tonight I am sitting in Panera, headphones in, using Free Wi-FI, and memories of college come flooding through my mind.  I remember hours and hours of sitting in these comfy chairs, never knowing what was ahead of me after college, and only trying to thrive and survive. 

Wild and Free

Crazy how things often come back around. Here I sit, once again, not knowing exactly what is a head of me.  My life is currently being lived in the form of suitcases and packed cars.  Ron left on Saturday, 26 foot passenger truck in tow, loaded to the max, and our life is about to change.

And it's scary and crazy and makes me nervous, but so incredibly exciting all in one.

Throughout this whole process I know the Lord has been stripping us.  So many people want to know, "But why are you leaving...?" I loved what Pastor Hamp Green said in his last message.  "God cannot move when you are comfortable"....Even the word of God states it...."


John 16:33
³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Have you ever really thought about this verse?....I think so often we love to read the part that says, "Take heart I have over come"......because honestly, who really likes to hear, "You will have trouble..." 

But if you go back and look at the first part of this verse, you might see it differently....

I HAVE TOLD YOU THESE THINGS, SO THAT IN ME, YOU MIGHT HAVE PEACE....

Really?  Jesus is trying to comfort us and give us peace....Normally when I want to comfort someone or give them peace of mind, my typical response isn't, "Hey, things are going to get REALLY bad, but don't worry, you got this...." No I think I like things more flowery and promising.....

But that's just the point...This isn't our real home and we aren't supposed to have everything perfect...It doesn't mean we can't enjoy life and that the Lord won't bless us, but when we are comfortably we only depend on ourselves...there's no room for God...

So, as we get ready to change all we know, leave our families and friends, so many might not find peace there...but it's incredible to see how the Lord has given me peace in the trouble... I really don't know how..in the trouble of packing...in the trouble of purging....

YES, I did have to get rid of my favorite recliner, the one thing I wanted to bring, yes, Ron did make me leave it behind....and I almost cried.....I had gotten it before Addy was born, nursed in it, fell asleep in it...it was mine....

First Night I got it!

And then the Lord convicted me....why are you hanging on to a RECLINER, it's a recliner....Don't you think I am big enough to restore your Big Lots Christmas Special recliner?.....I was feeling sorry for myself and leaving our dream house behind and having a pity party over things.....and don't we all do it....especially us women....But Lord, she is prettier, they have well behaved kiddos, their yard is awesome...we all do it and we all cling so tight.....

But the Lord wants to bring us PEACE...He wants to give us Hope...and He wants to strip us....Yes, we will have trouble, but the Lord restore and changes us and grows us and if we stay in the same place, there's no way to grow or move to the even bigger and better things He has planned for us......

We have to get out of our comfort zones or we will die there....it's life..it's the truth

So what is your comfort zone?....Where is the Lord leading you to go, maybe kicking and screaming?.....When we first talked about Florida I told Ron, "No way, it isn't happening..."
But, as I realized that the Lord had been preparing us to go, and slowly started letting go...Doors started opening like crazy...our journey to Florida has been incredible and there will definitely be a future post on that story...because I am still completely in awe of all He has done..but tonight I challenge you....What insecurities do you need to kick to the curb?  Comparison is the thief of joy.....so....What do you need to let go of, to be stripped of?....

I promise, you may not want to take that leap of faith, but you will never get to truly experience the beauty of floating in the air if you can never jump out of the plane.....

Trusting in things unseen, and so excited to see where the Lord takes us over these next few week....

The Lord's romance for me the morning Ron left

Jen