Prepared for Tomorrow

Here I am starting over, again, in a new place. I've been here for 2 months now and I keep finding myself looking back over the past 10 years at how the Lord has brought Ryan and me along this journey so far. It amazes me to see how the Lord has prepared us for each new step before it actually occured. And it is astonishing to see how it all flows so perfectly together, the past and future.

My first move began when I married Ryan. I was ready to be with Ryan wherever he was, being in love prepared me to move to the ends of the earth, but it only took me to San Jose. We were there for three years as Ryan finished college. And I endured our tiny "compartment" because that is what the Lord chose to provide for us. That is where I also learned my first lesson in contentment.

By the time Ryan graduated we were ready for the next step, ready to move and start something new. Even before we visited the Northwest for possible jobs, we thought that would be a great place to live. Turns out that Portland was the next stop for us as the Lord provided Ryan with his first job out of college. We loved Portland! Portland was where we bought our first house, and after "the compartment", I was so grateful for our little two bedroom one bath house!

The next time we moved took me longer to get ready for. I really liked Portland and had no desire to leave. However, Ryan's job was becoming unstable and less desirable, so he was ready to venture out before I was. Ryan came home one day from work and told me about a possible job with Whirlpool. I thought that was great, but first asked him where it was. He told me it was in Michigan. Well, Michigan wasn't so great to me. I had no desire to move there, it was too far away from extended family. Well, the Lord had a wonderful way to prepare me for what He had planned. Turns out that 9 months of Ryan being unemployed prepared me to move just about anywhere. Yep, shortly after Ryan telling me about a possible job in Michigan, he was laid off. Ryan diligently searched for a job everyday for 9 months. We had hoped to be able to stay in the area but nothing was available. Soon, it no longer mattered where we lived, if it provided for our family then that would be perfect.

Ryan did get a job with Whirlpool, so off to Michigan we went. It did not take me long to love Michigan. I think the church we found was the reason. The people at The Chapel were beyond belief! They were so open with thier lives, so genuine in their love. To this day I am overwhelmed with Christ's love that is displayed in the lives of the people in The Chapel.

We were in Michigan for about three and a half years. But about a year ago I began to feel what I now see as the Lord preparing me to move yet again. It became hard for me to be content with where we were. Holidays and family birthdays would depress me. My heart began to long to be closer to our families. At the same time Ryan's job was becomming increasingly difficult for him to manage. Because of Ryan's growing unease with his job, he began to casually look for another. Late one night Ryan got a call about a job that ended up being perfectly suited for him. How does that happen? Ryan's current job had caused him to grow in his field in such a way as to make him the perfect match for what this new place was looking for. Only God can do that! And only God could have placed this job closer to our families.

Now I am here, in our new place, and as I am missing friends and not comfortable with making new ones, I know I can trust Him again. Right now I am still learning where things are and I long for a church to call home and at least one good friend to talk with. However, it is interesting to evaluate myself during this time. I am oddly at peace in this new place. I know that it will be difficult to open myself up to new people and make friends, it has never been something that has come easily for me. But when I pray about it, I begin to not feel so self-centered and scared. I shouldn't be so surprised, should I? But I am. The Lord has provided all that I've needed. I can trust Him to bring new friends into my life, when it is time. I can trust Him in all things.

I've had to learn to be content with wherever the Lord has placed me. Whether it be in a tiny "compartment" in San Jose, or near bankruptcy in Portland, or far away in Michigan, I've had to trust the Lord's plan for me and my family. It's been difficult to be in a crummy apartment on the sad side of town, and it's been hard living one day at a time hoping that the next would reveal a job and provision, and it's been trying on my heart to be far away from our families while living in the land of snow and thunderstorms. But in each place the Lord has been there with me, never deserting, ever comforting, always preparing me for the next step.

I think it is so awesome how the Lord has prepared in advance each time. He didn't have to do that, but he did. Why? I didn't have to be ready to move, but the Lord chose to ready me. Looking back I see how each step flowed to the next. It's amazing to think about really. Ryan's education prepared him for his work and made the way for his first job after graduating. His first job prepared him for the next one. Then the second job prepped him for his current job. Each step was dependant on the previous! All perfectly orchestrated by The Master! Amazing! No one could plan this out and make it happen. No one! Still, I wonder why the Lord choses to reveal what he does. But maybe I shouldn't be so surprised at the revelation, for it prepares me for what is ahead. If I can trust him because of what he has done in the past, then I can trust him today as well as trusting him with what he has planned for my future. Amazing! Simply amazing!

I am only left to wonder at how today is preparing for all the tomorrows ahead! It is exciting, this dependency and relationship with Christ! I just love Him!