Major Change
Thoughts on change, transition and spiritual growth:
Looking back, I can see that our out-of-state move was a major change for us as a couple with two very small children. We moved from sunny San Diego with an actual choice of whether you wanted to go spend a day in the snow - to central Missouri where we had ice storms that made it impossible to walk across the street to the rural mailbox. We moved from a very dry climate to humid, hot summer days that often built up to a thunderstorm. We arrived in August and the heat, humidity and sound of chirping insects in the trees made it impossible to sleep. By the second summer, however, those same sounds sang me to sleep. I never quite got used to the dampness of my pillow as we slept by an open window.
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There was no air conditioning in our house and no heater in our car. But fortunately, we never had to drive very far - it was a small town. There was ministry there as well - but that too was a change. Now instead of teaching Good News or Junior Sunday School, I was teaching the teenagers. Instead of a large church of thousands, we attended a tiny church of about 40. The children sat with us in church since there was no nursery. The biggest change was the pace of life - slowing down considerably. Four years later, when we returned to San Diego, I would feel like I entered a high speed zone. My family in California said I developed a midwestern accent. I still find that easy to do when I get around someone who has one.
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There were some very good things that I remember, which mostly centered around the hospitality of a family who invited us many times for Sunday dinner at their home in the country. We grew to love them and appreciate how welcome they made us feel, as we adjusted to a different culture. I particularly remember standing around their piano singing Christian songs that we all knew by heart - even though we were from different parts of the country. One of their teenage daughters - who now has grown children of her own - still writes and is coming to visit soon.
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I would not trade the experience of those four years for anything. It was a much better place for Ron to concentrate on his graduate studies. Even though at the end of the time I was very much looking forward to coming home, I feel like those years in the midwest broadened my outlook, helping me realise that not everyone has the same mindset as Southern Californians.
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I really think that the ability to be happy, even when we are in a less-than-perfect situation, is greatly enhanced by a growing relationship with the Lord. During that slower-paced time in our lives, I read through my Bible for the first time. The preaching we received was a very simple gospel message - and did not go very deep - but the result was deeper study on my own that grew over the years into a true love of God's Word.
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How do you react to change? Is it threatening, or can you see the possibility for real spiritual growth? How willing are you to go where God wants you to go?
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