Where Now?

6 Comments on Where Now?


For months this spring, I didn’t leave the house … literally!
Probably like most of you!

While I was packing again this week, I realized since June 3rd, when mother died (Read Here), I’ve traveled FIVE times with a few more trips on the horizon! That’s a lot for me, even in a Non-Covid year! Truly, my suitcase has lived in my bedroom becoming another storage vessel: clothes have flown in and out like the great clothing swap!

Unpacking, laundry, refilling … routine. I can’t do it without thinking, yet, different places require different attire. Some things have found a new home in the suitcase. Putting everything away for a few days, or even a week, seems a senseless waste of time. It shortly will make it’s way back to this place, anyway.

There’s also the “catching up” each time I get home that demands my attention, and then I am back into the “getting ready to leave” phase again. Unpacking just doesn’t prioritize.

“Keep Your Bags Packed” keeps running through my mind!

I have definitely been in that phase physically, but as I’ve contemplated it, another meaning has surfaced.

Until two years ago, I could’ve laid out my short- and long-term plan and would’ve totally thought I knew how it would play out. My husband and I thought we knew how the path to retirement would go. After being in one spot for over 30 years, there was no reason to think we’d be packing till we hit the golden years.

WRONG!

Nope! Change was on the horizon; hidden from our view. When it popped up out of no where, it became very apparent that we were wrong. In every sense, we knew God was packing us up. We were moving.

30+ years in one spot can lull you into thinking, you KNOW! Boy, was I fooled. I didn’t know!!! My husband and I have always been committed to following God’s leadership. When He said, “It’s time to pack your bags!” We did, even though the road was rocky and hard at first. Honestly, I’d rather be uncomfortable than not follow God’s voice and instruction.

So, we began an unknown journey and packed our bags! Things have been moved in and out of our scope, not completely letting us unpack and settle yet! I’m learning to live out of a suitcase and follow God’s moving; leaving predictions, preconceived notions, and planning behind.

There may be someone who needs to hear this today:

Keep. Your. Bags. Packed.!

Don’t presume you know!

Hold loosely to plans!

You may think you know! In reality, you probably don’t!! In fact, you may not know the half of it or any of it: circumstances just lull us into thinking we do!

The valleys and mountains on your journey may be around the next corner or completely hidden. Don’t fret or fear! God will lead you through where He is taking you! You may not have gotten the memo, but God knew where you would stand! Grab His hand and let Him lead.

Keep. Your. Bags. Packed. 

Living out of a suitcase may be different, but it has some awesome bonuses!

P.S. Cute luggage helps!! 😉

On the Move,


Feel free to share with a friend(s).
“Subscribe” on the right or below to have all posts delivered to your email inbox.

Published by Elaine Stone

6 thoughts on “Where Now?”

  2. Hi Elaine!

    I just wanted to reach out because I can so relate to your post. I don’t know your story – all I know is that y’all aren’t at Spotswood anymore and last I heard Jim was interim at a church in Stafford. So sudden changes have somehow rocked your world.

    Well, us too! Tim and I loved the church where we were serving in the Raleigh area – been there 13 years with no plans to go anywhere. Amazing church. Takes excellent care of their staff. Kids just out of college, so I had big plans to leave my job this summer and just be involved in ministry with my hubby – always wanted to NOT have a job. So God said it is time to move out of your comfort zone. He brought us, especially me, kicking and screaming almost, to rural Woodstock, Virginia. Small church, big pay cut, no benefits. We initially told them no. But God showed us how all our reasons for not going were selfish, and I came around, understanding in my head that God’s plans are always better than our own. My heart is slowly coming around. God shows me every single day a piece of his beautiful plan unfolding and we have no doubt that we are where we are supposed to be. But it is so surreal. God has led us places before, but they were moves we thought were good ideas. This is the first time we have had to completely trust Him and do something that just wouldn’t make sense in man’s eyes. Tim moved here end of April and I came 3 weeks ago since I had to get a job before I could leave mine in NC. It has been a ride and will continue to be. I still cannot believe we are here. But God is so patient and gracious to me. I have only been homesick once. The people here are so incredibly nice and welcoming. I can’t say I’m fully adjusted, but I’m completely at peace.

    I hope we can see each other sometime in the near future.

    Much love to you,

    Linda

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Linda, I didn’t know … thank you for sharing!! When God leads you have to follow even when it doesn’t make sense! So true!! The peace He gives is the best part! It increases your faith and draws you close. It is a whole different faith journey than you’d previously been walking!😘

      Like

  3. I hear you, I was a planner until Jonathan’s accident and now I am much more relaxed just taking things day by day!!

    Liked by 1 person

Comments are closed.