Monday, February 18, 2008

Moving

So. As I mentioned in my last post, we've done some moving. Casa del Rand is no longer in Greenville, it's in Central, and it's pretty sweet. This whole weekend has been momentous for me in more ways than I first realized. I never thought I'd be excited to call the Clemson area home, but my heart settles into a beautiful calm now as I near our new home because I know that God has done this.

Several weeks ago, after church, Jeromie and I drove by the new Kalbaugh pad (pre-lease-signing) on our way to meet folks for running... just to check out their new location. Little did I know what this would stir in me. Running = thinking & praying time for me, and by the time we got back I decided to voice what was percolating: could we move back??

We joked about it a little bit... and then... we got down to some serious praying & consideration. And then... we hit an obstacle (65lb lab is not compatible with an absolutely-no-dogs rule). And then... we kept praying about it. And then... God made not just one, but two ways! And then... we signed a lease! And then... and then... and then! (I know, I know - I sound like a very excited 6 year old!)

Things weren't all smooth sailing during the process. I think Jeromie and I both encountered a good bit of spiritual warfare - his in the form of doubts, mine in the form of a seething apathy (oxymoron? I beg to differ...), but God faithfully broke through these, too, in His time.

So... the past week has been full of working and packing and packing and working and working and not running like we should and packing. With the help of some incredible friends, we got everything moved on Saturday and started the process of settling in.

I feel like God has answered a lot of prayers through all this. Long-time prayers, and not remotely in any way we expected. He is bringing us both back to life, and it's beautiful.



Perhaps what describes it best was the outcome of yesterday's listening at DCF. My reflections as I listened to Winn speak took the form of a poem... something that doesn't happen very often, so I'm pretty sure God had something to do with it. :-)

* * * * * * *



Home

We are here.
dcf.
Central.
Unsettled, but at rest
because You are our Refuge.
Your body our community,
Our community Your body.

From everlasting to everlasting.
From dust to dust.
As far as the heavens are above the earth
so are Your thoughts above our own.
We pass away, but You remain.

"Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)

Teach us to seek You.
Teach us to pray.
Teach us to hope, to surrender, to obey.
Our lives are not limitless,
Our knowledge is not wisdom.

We have frittered away Your precious gift
of a redeemed life.
We withdrew.
We withheld.
We grasped at and horded
moments of life
instead of entering in.

But You enter in.
You pursue.
You forgive.
With sure strokes, You carve out a home
in our hearts, and channels of hope,
and You pour
Your life
into us.

Father God, please forgive me for how I have made myself the center. Of this moment, of this day, of my life. My sins are countless. When left alone, I take every breath as an opportunity to run away. But You enter in.

Thank You.

4 comments:

Aisyrn said...

Ah, the center. Such a cozy place to be. Such a natural way to live. I admire you for seeking the higher and greater. For trying to be supernatural.

Sure scares the hell out of me.

Juli said...

Such beauty and grace. There is much stirring in your spirit and I can't wait to continue the journey with you.

Shannon Hayes said...

hey liz - just wanted you to know that i was thinking about you. I know this is going to be a difficult week, but you are in my prayers. the poem is BEAUTIFUL.

sewtakeahike said...

Hi Liz,
ACK, You're not going to believe this BUT I sent your PIF to you on the 21st to your old address. I wish I would have taken a look at this post before I mailed it. Timing. It really is everything, huh? I had it in my head you wouldn't be moving until summer. I'm glad you were able to pray it through and move exactly where you and your husband are supposed to be! Anyway,hopefully you will still receive your PIF in the near future, if not, please let me know!