Complicated Hope

A month – or more – ago, I wrote about my plan to write more. To share what Jesus is teaching me. To even write out the devotionals I give as Chaplain. It has not gone according to my plan.

It’s not that I can’t think of things to write – far from it. Often by the end of the day, my mind is so mush from all the chaos in this world, I can’t form a sentence verbally, not to mention writing sensibly.

This week is even worse! We loaded our house and moved to Indiana. Doesn’t that sound so simple? Throw it in a box and fill a truck! If it sounds easy, you’ve never moved. The logistics of moving a household – even one that’s down to two adults with an adult child to help – are complicated. And we downsized in houses. Yet, not near enough in possessions – I’m working on that. Grace, please.

I truly want this new house and new season to be one of peace not possessions. To take care of what I have with less burden of the things of life. To be comfortable and welcoming but mostly a place of peace.

That’s always been our goal – let our home be a place of peace and rest. That people can come, take their shoes off, drink some iced tea and share laughter. We have always had people in our house – and that’s a fulfillment of our life’s dedication prayer: “Lord, whatever you give us, we promise to use it to bless your children!”

The angst of this move has been fueled by house bid wars, weird inspections, pandemic reactions and a grandbaby. I am thankful that Little Man came a bit earlier than planned – Saturday would have been too much to greet him and unload a house!

Today I sit in a chaos of furniture, surrounded by bookcases and tables stacked with random things and I realize again, I cannot control anything in this life – except my reaction to circumstances. And even that reaction is only productive when fed by a constant diet of God’s mercy!

Feeling undone by your surroundings and circumstances? I get it. I have found one song that I keep singing (the link to song is below the image)-

The Lord my God will never leave me. He will never walk away from me – I must choose to stay in His presence – especially when the plans change.

Father God, I choose to stay in your presence, today. I will abide in You, just as you Abide with Me. I can do nothing without you – but with you, this challenge before me will be a joy!