I said goodbye to friends today at church. This time next week, I’ll have moved to Southern California and started this next stage of my life, working and living in Santa Clarita near my daughter and grandsons. Still trying to wrap my head around that.
I’ve prayed for years to be closer to them. When my first grandson was born, I began looking for a job near them. I even interviewed at a few places, but to no avail. Then the economy tanked and jobs dried up. I decided that God wanted me here and so I sought to “bloom where I was planted.” Can’t tell you how much I hate that phrase, but I had come to accept that God had His purposes for me staying here. I got involved in a wonderful church plant and developed relationships here and bonded with the people here.
But my heart was down south, with my daughter and her growing family. I was torn. And I strove with God. But He was stronger… and wiser. He knew I was needed here. I cannot say that I accepted that with a glad heart, but, by His abundant and never-failing grace, He helped me to see that He had a purpose for me here. I cannot say that I liked that purpose, but, again, by His abundant mercy, He showed me that He was doing something here and He wanted me as a witness, as a vessel, to minister, to encourage and exhort fellow believers during a hard time as He further worked His Will. And He is working… as I write He is working to bring about good for those who have been most beset by these troubling affairs.
But, then the door opened to the Southland. And after tests and interviews and waiting, I now find myself preparing for the next steps through that door and down to join my grandbabies. I’ve been packing for a few days and am preparing to step out and into this new life that awaits down south.
I said goodbye to friends today at church, but it’s not really goodbye. I’ve family still here in the area and plan to visit them and when I’m in the area, I hope to attend church and see these beloved friends. It’s not really goodbye because, even if I don’t make it back to this church, we’ll all see each other again, around that throne and that sea of glass. And we’ll rejoice. Oh how I yearn for THAT day.
I know I’ve shared this song before, but we sang it at church today and it was especially heartening and comforting for me to be singing (shouting) this song with this fellowship one more time.
All Things Elda 