Say Hello, Wave Goodbye

This is the title from a David Gray song, and I'm pretty sure it's about a breakup, so it's not really appropriate for this post. However, as we have been in the process of moving for what seems like months, the chorus has popped into my head from time to time.

We are now finally saying goodbye to what has been one of greatest hand-of-God blessings of our marriage. Two years ago, we were facing a decision point as our days of "house sitting" for Abby's sister Beth and her husband were coming to a close (another huge blessing, and another story). I was personally seeking God's will more than I ever had before, and not just because of the impending decision. I had decided then (was convicted then) that I was involved in too many things that were frankly against what God would have me do (a euphemism for there was sin in my life), and repenting of that seemed to open a floodgate -- it was as if God was waiting for me to recognize that it was time to get serious, time to start a new phase in the life of our young family, one where I had to stop pretending that "Freedom in Christ" meant "Freedom to do Whatever I Want because I'm Saved."

I know no other way of describing the path we were led down, because looking back, there is no doubt that repentance led to opportunity, and opportunity in this case was the chance to work with a youth group at Highland Community Church. I had never dreamed of or aspired to be a youth minister, and would not have chosen Highland if I were doing the choosing. Yet, here the opportunity was presented, virtually out of the blue. The timing was unbelievable, the timing was incredible, the timing was God's. We had been GIVEN a place to live. . . exactly when we needed it.

At that time, Highland began a search for a full time minister. My dad agreed to begin a stint as interim preacher, one that lasted 2 years. This by itself was a huge blessing, as I got the chance to be a part of my dad's ministry at Highland. When I was young, I largely rejected the idea of "youth groups," and in typical preacher's kid style, I did not appreciate the opportunity to be a part of a church where my father was the preacher. Now, I've had the opportunity to be a larger part of it, and it has been precious to me.

The search for a new minister is now over, and God has brought us a dynamic and enthusiastic young minister named Ryan Montgomery. Now, we move onto a new phase, a new house, and a renewed sense of purpose for our church. We welcome whole-heartedly this new man of God, gladly passing off the keys to the house where Annie learned to walk and Amelia found her cry. We praise God for our new house, which seemed to have been built years ago with us in mind. I echo the line that my Annie loves to sing, acknowledging that we are still just passing through: "His grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home."