16 November 2004

The Continuing State of Flux

I would like to say that things are going like normal but normal isn't normal anymore. Normal is better, worse, lonlier, and together all at the same time.

Last week, Sara and I left the place that has been our home for three years. We have resigned from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheboygan Falls, WI. We packed up our dogs and all of our earthly belongings into a big yellow Penske truck and traveled 1000 miles to Columbus, GA. In the process, we left behind many people who have become great friends. It was hard to leave a group that felt like family, but we did it so that our true family could be together.

The good part to this is that I no longer come home to an empty apartment. Now I come home to a wagging tail and a wiggling stub (Boomer lost his tail to an infection some time ago, but he's still happy to see me). I come home to a loving wife and all that she means to my life. While it's harder to get out of bed in the morning, it's much easier to come home at night.

This is really an exciting time for Sara and I. We know that we are going to be here for about 18 months, but after that we have no clue where we will go or what will happen. As we told this to many people, their reactions were always ones of shock. You could see it in their eyes as they thought, "Where will you go? What will you do? How will you get by? What about this? What about that?"

Look: I believe in an omnipotent God who promises me that I will have whatever I need. What do I have to worry about? Sure, I may not have what I want, but I will have what I need. I won't starve. I won't be out on the curb without a home or a job. I'll always have what I need. Armed with this knowledge, what is there for me to worry about?

In faith, I look at this promise, grab my wife by the hand, and we start over. We're not too old to do that. Actually, is anyone ever too old to do that? That's a deeper thought for a later time.

For now, we are taking a new heading in this expedition that is life. For a while, we have thrown away the map and we are navigating by Compass. We are following the eternal truths of grace, faith, and hope and we know that we will end up on our feet in a good place.

And we'll have a great ride!