I’ll never forget that sinking feeling in my stomach as a child

when my Dad called the family all together

and announced that we were moving.

Lump in my throat moments

as I realized that soon all that was familiar was changing.

We moved from Pennsylvania to New York

from New York to Kansas City

from Kansas City to upstate New York.

And as I would pack my things in the gigantic moving boxes

I also packed away my hopes and dreams of friendships and schools.

Endings can be so difficult.

Good byes said. Hugs given. Waving at schoolmates as I walked out of the class

and away from the school for the very last time.

But every ending led to a new beginning.

Standing at the doorway of a strange, new classroom

and scanning the sea of unfamiliar faces.

Listening to a new teacher explain her rules and procedures.

Riding different school buses.

Going to sleep in a strange bedroom.

Slowly discovering that different doesn’t mean bad.

Sadness was slowly replaced with gladness as I made new friends

and became secure again.

Every new beginning starts with a small step.

Sometimes it happens without us even realizing that something big has just happened.

A conversation here

a brief encounter there

but seeing again and again how He lead His dear children along.

Learning to trust moments where His leading becomes more than a word or a promise

on the pages of my well worn Bible.

Knees knocking

Sweaty hands moments where I sense His tender Hand drawing me forward

into the new and strange and uncomfortable again.

He leadeth me in paths of righteousness…. Psalms 23:3

      for His Name’s sake.

Learning to trust in His loving Care.

Learning to let Him lead rather then pushing forward with mywill and way.

Whatever He calls me to do

to simply obey.

Fears of the unknown gradually replaced with songs of praise

as I discover again and again that He is Faithful.

He knows us better than we know ourselves

and supports us on every side as we move forward in life.

Through every new chapter

every new beginning

until we finally reach Home.

Let’s keep moving, friends, no matter how strange and unfamiliar it might be.

I long to trust Him with a heart open wide to His Will.

Fears? Sure

Uncertainty? Definitely.

But we are always safe as we follow Him.