Getting Settled

I have to be honest. It’s been really hard. I’ve cried a lot.

My heart longs for the comforts of what I knew. My family, our friends and our home. We were settled. I knew my way around the grocery store. I didn’t have to use google maps to know how to get somewhere. I knew how to ‘do life’ there. Now here, in a new town and a very small town (population 4,500), everything feels awkwardly different. Unsure how to make my way.

A lot has happened in the last six weeks since moving. We moved into our rental, all the girls started school (2nd, Kinder, and Preschool), and the two oldest finished their soccer season.

In the middle of all the new transitions, my emotions have been up and down like a wicked roller coaster. I’m optimistic and hopeful one moment and then frustrated and discouraged the next. Oh my poor hubby! Reflecting on the last weeks, I’ve done way more complaining than I’d like to admit. I’m so very human. With my comforts taken away I've been acting like two year old.  Have you been there too?

I’ve been continuing to read the story of Abraham. A passage jumped out at the me the other day when I was reading.

“After Lot had gone, the Lord said the Abram...” Genesis 13:14

I know you are thinking, “I’m not seeing it. Well, Lot was Abram's nephew. (Abram was his name before God changed it to Abraham in Genesis chapter 17) Lot had made the journey with Abram from his home land of Ur. After settling in Canaan, Abram and Lot decided it was time to separate because the land could not support their growing herds.

I can imagine how devastating this was for Abram to lose family. To lose a comfort. It's just after Lot leaves that God shows up. You see God is always about encouraging us. Showing up with timely grace.

Just in case Abram had forgotten why God had brought him here to this new land, God reminds Abram of His promise.

After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” Genesis 13:14-17

God promised land as far as he could see.
God promised descendants that were too many to count.

Over and over again over the past weeks I have seen God's grace show up in timely ways. Just like Abram did so many years ago.

Nothing broke in the move and it all arrived in one week.
My girls met friends before school even started.
My in-laws watched the girls while I unpacked.
I’ve quickly met other gals who would like to study the Bible with me.
Our neighbors have a daughter the girls love playing with her.
A new friend who also just moved. 
The girls are quickly adjusting to their new school.
I’ve received encouraging text from friends back home at my lowest moments.

Each so timely. Each brought my heart hope. Each reminded me that God’s got this.

When Abram waved goodbye to Lot He didn't know when God was going to show up but He did and with the perfect encouragement that his heart needed. 

Are you feeling discouraged today? Have you recently lost something or someone dear to you that was a comfort to your heart? God see's. He knows. He has timely grace in store today for you.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3