Have you ever felt like a fish out of water; not knowing where you belong? That was me fifteen years ago as we watched the moving company loaded our belongings in a large truck to take them from Pennsylvania to Texas. My normal jovial demeanor existed with an air of detachment and a strange calm as we left familiar Pennsylvania.
Months earlier, my husband Ken had approached me about a job transfer to Texas. We began praying about it and left the final decision with our very capable Lord. Knowing that if this happened, it would be God’s plan, not ours. Eventually, our prayers were answered with a scheduled move date. After thanking God for an answer to prayer, God’s assistance was asked to share the news with son. Our nine year old son was okay with the move, but getting a dog in Texas was his only requirement. The arduous task of moving had just begun. Sharing this news with family and friends was hard, especially our parents. Six years earlier, Ken’s mother had died, and now my mother’s health was failing. As we relayed the information that our address was changing from local to long distance, so many questions arose. This time our relocation was not a town away, but several states away. A job transfer was the only reason for our change of scenery. Leaving our loved ones did not appeal to us.
However, looking back upon the move, reveals God’s handiwork of protection for us, His children. We thought our move was just for a job…God added so much more! He had total control of the entire move from the beginning of an answered prayer, that began with selling our home in PA, to the final completion of the sale of our new home in TX. I would like to say that everything went smoothly according to Ken and Karen’s plans, but that would be a BIG FAT LIE! Leaning on God became very important. There is such a freedom in moving, until the fear of the unknown appears.
Upon arriving in Texas, we met our new neighbors after closing on our new home. We were now able to move in, but we received word that the moving van would not make it for another week. That meant we each had a sleeping bag and some clothes…. Sleeping on the hard floor would not provide a nice sleep. Our new neighbors provided much needed friendship and an air mattress. They made us feel like we were home; a fish back in the water.
Each of us have moved at one time or another, and have many memories to share. Although, that in no way compares to the memories and loss that the disciples felt after Jesus died on the Cross. They had placed their trust in Him, and now their teacher was gone. One of the disciples betrayed Jesus to the Sanhedrin for money. The other disciples ran away when Jesus was arrested. It seemed like the Messiah was dead and gone, but God had different plans… The disciples had given up after the Cross, and forgot what Jesus said to them. Jesus still works in our lives, even when we do not know it. Jesus was resurrected and sent us His Holy Spirit, the Comforter. See Acts 2.
We might have plans, but God’s Plans and are often very different than our plans. Our move to Texas was just for a job, at least that was what we thought. But it brought many things, like us being in Student Ministry for many years, and starting the Young Adults of Worth Ministry to help keep more young adults following God’s plan for their lives.
We should let our children know that it is OK to feel like a fish out of water from time to time. God has a plan, even if we don’t know what it is. He is holding us in the water, providing everything we need to live. We just don’t always see it. But just like the disciples and our move to Texas, He has great plans for all of us. We just have to trust Him and to be patient.
