Since becoming a Christian nearly two years ago there has been a consistent theme…. Seasons. I didn’t know what people meant when they told me “it was my season” when I moved from Lake Orion to Plymouth, MI an hour away…no job and no friends in my new location; just faith that it was what Jesus wanted me to do. It was our season when I met girlfriends from a bible study where I learned to be transparent in the clumsiest of ways but it was just as He had planned it. Some of the friendships there lasted only as long as the study; others lasted a bit beyond it and were amazing and sooo filling but seemed to fade just a few months later. And then there is the friendship with Lynnette that is like no other I have ever experienced….getting even stronger as our “season” grew to one of separation when I spent six months in California.
The season spent away with family seemed longer than any other I had experienced but another that was completely necessary…my temporary home. A home my parents so willingly opened to me without hesitation; an offer that would not have been bestowed to the old me in the dark season, a very long season of my life, but for BOTH, I am grateful.
We all have temporary homes; places we stay in a while until we get to where we’re going but the beauty part is…sometimes we don’t even realize our places are temporary until we are asked to move on to somewhere else. When we moved to Plymouth nearly two years ago; we knew we were being obedient to Jesus and going…even though we weren’t sure why…we went. After getting so settled into an awesome church with ministries, bible studies, volunteering, small groups, and friends; we just knew that this is where Jesus wanted us to be. But it turns out that we didn’t know anything at all. Just like my parents gave me a temporary home in California, Jesus gave us a temporary home with just enough seasons here in Plymouth, MI. Temporary because tomorrow we move to Nineveh (aka Owasso, Oklahoma….just a short 15 hour drive). <cough>
Carrie Underwood sings about temporary homes and I love that she shares from several perspectives with all the same answers; from a boy of six years old to a single mom to an old man in a hospital bed.
Little boy, six years old
A little to used to being alone
Another new mom and dad, another school
Another house that’ll never be home
When people ask him how he likes this place
He looks up and says with a smile upon his face
This is my temporary home
It’s not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I’m passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where I’m going
I’m not afraid because I know
This is my temporary home
A young mom on her own
She needs a little help, got no where to go
She’s looking for a job, looking for a way out
‘Cause a half-way house will never be a home
At night she whispers to her baby girl
Someday we’ll find our place in this world
This is my temporary home
It’s not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I’m passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where I’m going
I’m not afraid because I know
This is my temporary home
Old man, hospital bed
The room is filled with people he loves
And he whispers, “don’t cry for me,
I’ll see you all someday”
He looks up and says,
“I can see God’s face”
This is my temporary home
It’s not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I’m passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where I’m going
I’m not afraid because I know
This is my temporary home
Think about it….just for five minutes. We don’t know how each day will go; who we will meet or just how long they will be there. What we do know is that Jesus has a hand in it all and it for his purpose and glory.
We are moving to a new temporary home to begin another season while continuing to grow with those that choose to come with us… even if only in our hearts (and Facebook, texting, and cell phones of course).
I have lived in Plymouth in my pretty little cottage just across the street from my awesome big church with small communities but not knowing even one neighbor until a month ago. Jesus decided that even a month is long enough to be considered a season in His eyes and moved this amazing couple to our left; we struck up conversations and friendship even before they officially moved in…sharing water, gardening tools, ladders or just spending time in our adjoining driveways. We have been invited to their house with family and they have spent time with us and ours but for just a few weeks before moving on. How is this fair? I asked Jesus one day over coffee. He smiled and reminded me that we don’t have to live ten feet apart to have a relationship with them… He bridges any gaps that we think exist. He says “You and your mom live 2500 miles apart and have never been closer.” Good point.
Don and Rosa (our neighbors) were originally from this area and moved to Chicago a few years ago for a job opportunity….happens a lot to those living in Michigan these days. Just so happens that the job he left for also came to an end and they decided to move back here to help Don’s sister with his parents. Mom was diagnosed with cancer and even though it was gone for a while; had returned and she needed help. Jesus not only knows how long our seasons or “temporary homes” need to be…He knows just how to get us there and exactly the right time to make it happen.
Where I am sad to only have this short season of a few weeks with them; the timing of their return was impeccable….of course. Don’s mom, Virginia’s, cancer came back and she is living day to day in a hospital; her husband of 66 years by her side along with other family members knowing that she is leaving this temporary home for the one we all long to get to one day.
“He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Mark 5:34
They say that there is a party in Heaven just waiting for us to arrive as the guest of honor. I imagine homemade signs saying “Welcome Home Virginia” scribbled across them. She will not be with those she loves here on earth but with those she loved long ago that have been waiting patiently for her; a surprise party of sorts, her eyes widening and a smile crossing her lips each time she sees another face that she recognizes.
I met Virginia and we spoke only five minutes; the shortest season I have experienced in this journey with Jesus. But He was quick to remind me that even though our season was short we already share something in Him. We both are going to leave these temporary homes to something greater and part of His plan....even though hers is so much better than mine, but who’s comparing? =D
I love how He proves to us that there is no season too short or too long and we can never consider anything permanent where He is concerned.
I love how He proves to us that there is no season too short or too long and we can never consider anything permanent where He is concerned.
GREAT POST! KEEP BLOGGING FOR JESUS MY FRIEND!
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