It seems just as I am settled in my spirit, mind and body the Lord stirs things up for our family. Where to begin? Lets start from the beginning in the most concise way that i can. We (my husband and I) are born and raised Miami, Fl natives. The Lord moved us to Cleawater, Fl in 2006. Those were the best years of our married life by far. We made great friends, were active in a wonderful church, we bought a boat and enjoyed the Florida gulf coast water, sun and air, we built a pool, completely renovated our home, taught our children to ride their bikes, grew as a family and most importantly my husband and I grew in the Lord in ways that we know would have never taken place had we stayed in Miami. After 4 years of a dream life the Lord once again called us to pick up and move. this move was a heart wrenching one. We left behind great friends and took only the memories with us that to this day have not been matched. We are now in our 2nd year at a great Christian School (my husband teaches and coaches) and have adjusted somewhat to our new lives in Raleigh, NC.
Our first year hear had some ups and downs and great emotions to work through. However, God is faithful and He worked out so many of those things. Several months ago I realized that I needed to enjoy and cherish every day her in NC. I came that conclusion as i thought back on my time in Clearwater. I loved and enjoyed Clearwater and had i known that the Lord would move us i think I would have savoured every moment I had there even more. That leads me to my thoughts a few months ago. My conclusion was that since i didn't know what God had in store for our family in the future i should really just enjoy what i have been given today. At that point i stopped thinking and lamenting over the Friends i left behind ( and the friends that i didn't have here in NC), the beautiful gulf coast and breathtaking sunsets over the ocean, Our home (which we still own), our church and our once was dream life and take hold of TODAY. God had given our family the opportunity to see and experience things here that were not available to us in Florida. Mountains. cold weather during the Christmas Holidays, southern charm, wreaths on every window during Christmas holidays, 4 hour drive to DC, 2 hour drive to the beach, 2 hour drive to the mountains (we can go anywhere in just a few hours), dream home (in reference to space/size), a wholesome environment for my children, great school with all the bells and whistles, beautiful trees and flowers in the spring (not just palm trees), kids can run around the neighborhood with their friends and play in the woods.
Now here is the twist, just as soon as i give in and let go and find contentment God throws a twist in the plot. I have always said that I had no desire to live in South Florida ever again (clearwater, any day- Miami, NOWAY). My husband on the other hand truly has always believed (since the day we left Miami) that we would one day return. He coached and worked at his high school Alma mater for 16 years. His heart is with that ministry. Since our South Florida exodus in 2006 a week hasn't passed by that he hasn't checked the Miami herald to keep up with the sports scores, he loves that ministry and prays for it continuously. He is a Florida guy at heart and there are aspects of Miami he loves and misses. For our family sake he puts those desires aside. WE have always felt that Miami is tough place to raised kids. So in comes the wrench- a couple of weeks ago the head master from our school in Miami called my husband. Let me add that this man is one of my husbands mentors, he was his HS football coach and later his boss. We love his family as if the were our own. We (i used to teach there also) have never worked for such a Godly, wise, strong leader such as this man. We can stand behind him and believe in what he does. God has used him to grow that school over that last several decades. Ok sooo back to the point. He called my husband to see if was interested in returning to Miami to work/coach at the school again. My heart sank. I have such mixed emotions. We love so many people there. We have such grand friends and most importantly my family is there. It is the place of our birth and our children's. BUT IT SCARES ME TO DEATH. I am scared for my children, I am scared because we just bought a home (in April- 8 months ago). Those are the 2 things that scare me the most. I know raising children is hard anywhere but Miami is so worldly, materialistic, and immodest. We already own a home in clearwater, Fl that we rent out, we CANNOT own a house in NC also. We just wouldn't be able to do it financially. So all that being said, no decision has been made or even considered. at this point we are simply praying and seeking Gods wisdom, guidance and ultimately his will. My prayer is that He would speak loud and clear, that there would be no mistake in us listening and hearing what he is calling us to do.
Answer to fear number 1- it doesn't matter where we live, where the kids go to school or anything else as long as we are raising them in the Lord. God is bigger than all of our surroundings. I have to trust Him to take care of them, mold them and bless them. The biggest influencing factor in my children's life is MOM and DAD not Miami.
So today , "Lord, show me how to pray for my children, how to raise them, love them, encourage them and most importantly how to walk in Your ways. May my life be a testimony."
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