Over the past six years we’ve looked for other houses to move to. We’ve looked for land. There are times we wanted to throw our hands up and move back to Ohio. We’ve had our joys but we’ve also had some really rough times. However, I would do all this all over again. Every scowl, every tear, every hurt was making us better.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
I’m going to be open with you. My husband and I went through a really rough valley moving to South Carolina. This was the first time we were away from family. We were fully relying on each other. The sad part is, we weren’t fully relying on God. Our faith was tested in ways we hadn’t experienced before.
And here we are being tested again as we transfer to Nashville. I know we’re not the only couple to be strengthened through a move. The majority of couples that I speak with who move away from the known would never return to where they were. There is something beautiful that takes place when your only support is the one whose heart is knit with yours. And the two are needles used by Yahweh to knit His story through their lives.
The tension in the needlework is at times loose but we’ve learned to lift up when the other is falling. To tighten the weave. When I’m crying at the base of the stairs because I’ve lost sight of His leading then my love comes over and kneels beside me and whispers “let’s pray.”
The moment when we were heaving tears in our hotel room in the wee hours of the morning in Nashville because we just realized we were homeless. And I say to my love with wet cheeks “He’s got this. We’re His lilies.”
Yahweh has allowed these moments to strengthen us. This is why He gave Adam a wife. A strand of three is not easily broken. When we purpose to have Him guiding our marriage, our lives, our family then how can we easily fall into doubt?
Every moment that was a struggle was strengthening us. There’s no ten minute marriage workout. Some moments are more enjoyable than others but they’re all preparing us to finish the race.
So off we are again. This teeter totter of faith.
Blessings!
