From Beaches to Mountains

Hi Friends, 

It has been a while. If you don't know our family has followed the call of the Lord and relocated to North Carolina. We said yes to Griffin taking a head pastor position. We said yes to living 20 minutes from the mountains. We said yes to seasons, yes to a possible white Christmas, or at least no more 80 degree ones. We said yes to land and space. We said yes to a slower culture. We said yes to fall festivals, and small town. We said yes to many things I have prayed for and dreamed about. And what a sweet Father to bless me with my dreams.

​But we also said yes to leaving everything safe, we said yes to moving away from all of our family, we said yes to leaving the state we have lived in for well...basically my whole life and half of Griffins. We said yes to the Father and no to everything else. And honestly it feels like a giant trust fall. 

Now I know I am not the first person to uproot their family, I know I am not the first person to experience all of the newness, the change, the feeling like I am taking a huge risk, but nonetheless, you're here, and I am here, and if we were sitting together I'd pour you a cup of coffee, froth the creamer up real thick because I feel fancy with my $30 frother machine. I'd light a candle and I would share my heart. Can we do that? 

3 Truths from my Transition

1. Transitions Must be Gentle - Most of my angst and worry hasn't been around Griffin or myself, it has been around the children. Wanting so badly for this to be beautiful and positive and...well... just plain good for them. I asked the Lord one morning, "How do I do this? How do I uproot my children and help them grow some place new?" He said, "Look up how plants are transported." I did and it's beautiful.

Soaking them in water, (my love) much more than normal because their roots are in shock and they need extra nourishment. Not exposing them to too much sun and expecting them to thrive right away. (Not rushing to new activities, new faces and spaces and expecting them to be great.) Taking the time to slowly put them in the new ground and gently pat the soil around the top, not using your feet but your hands, your fingertips. Wow God, yes, No expectations, no forcing, no pushing...slow, gentle, graceful.  

2. Be Mindful of the Posture of Your Prayers - I knew this wouldn't be easy but I realized how quickly the battle against weariness was in my mind. We have been given a sound mind. But so often we don't live in this promise. The Word of God is alive and full to the brim with promises for us to cling to and walk in, however I was so convicted the other day by the Spirit. I was praying and it sounded something like this. "Lord please help my children to be okay in their new school. God please help them to not be fearful, protect their souls and hearts. God please help their teachers to love Jesus fearlessly." Nothing wrong there, yet my tone was defensive. My posture was praying out of my fears instead of praying in the right posture...from His promises!

We are in Christ which means we are victorious, which means our prayers must be the promises not the potential problems! So now, when I pray about school. I sound like this. "Father this will be a year my children thrive, they will lead their classrooms, they will find more of who they are in Christ. Father they will have moments that will make their roots in You grow down deep. May this be the year that their faith becomes real, strong, pure. Holy Spirit activate them in their spiritual gifts, open their eyes to see the supernatural, and let them feel Your love in tangible ways that they never ever forget." 

3. Where are You Looking? - Griffin moved to NC before the kids and I did. We were apart for 22 days, which felt like much longer than that. The day before he left, the Lord led me to read the story of Jesus walking on water. I felt like He showed me that this will be my season...however long it is; that if I keep my eyes on Him, I won't sink...but if I take them off and look at the storms, or in my case, the unknowns, the new, the fear, the worries...I'll sink immediately. He always confirms for me. I went on a run that same day and two songs that came on shuffle referenced this scripture. A few weeks later my children were watching a show and a character said, "No body can walk on water." A few days after that a worship leader I follow posted a book he finished and the title? "Walking on Water." (thank you Jesus for the confirmations.)

As we have been in our new home now for a month, I have caught myself drifting to find relief in ways that only bring it for a moment. That's what relief does, but Jesus offers refreshment to the soul. Big difference. Relief lasts but a moment, refreshment stays longer and it changes the way you see, feel and breathe. When I set my eyes on Jesus I see Him, I recognize Him. But when I have my thoughts fixed on the unknowns, the storm, well He seems like a ghost. I totally understand the disciples. 

So, while I feel like I am falling I know He will catch me. When has He not? Feelings are welcome at the table but they are not the head seat. It's Truth, It's Jesus. He must be the focus. He doesn't lead you where He doesn't go. He doesn't take you so far to only take you so far. And if you find yourself in a new season, place, or in the midst of a transition just remember it's your chance for your faith to grow. It's not supposed to stay the same, there are deeper depths of His love and character we are designed to know. The only way is through the deep, I think it's worth it every time. 

Much Love, 
   Heather