Bittersweet

The term “bittersweet” is perfect for the journey we’re on right now. And I think it’s “bittersweet” instead of “sweetbitter” for a reason. You have to wade through the bitter before you get to the sweet. And I think that is exactly where we are right now.

At the end of this month, we will be moving. Leaving our home town, our home church, and lots of family and friends. We’ll be moving in order to follow God’s call to a position at another church. We are excited about the opportunity God has given us, but that doesn’t make leaving here easy. We love where we live. We love our church, our pastor, and the staff we serve with. We’ve enjoyed being near our family, especially with small kids. And we have friends – new and old – that have become like family over the last eight years here.

We’ve moved before. In fact, by the time we’d been married a year, we’d moved across the country twice. But life was a bit different then. I had a job. Our ministry was different. We didn’t have kids.

Selfishly, I don’t want to leave my family, my church, or my friends. I don’t want Caedmon to have to leave his friends, something he doesn’t even fully understand. I am sad that Honor won’t have the opportunity to hang out with our family the way Caedmon has over the past three and a half years. And? I hate moving. Across town or across the country, I hate it.

However.

God has been stirring us for about a year now. We knew He was getting ready to make a change in our lives, we just weren’t sure what it was or where it would take us. We also had no idea it would take this long. But I look back over the last year and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. God has brought us through so much in order to prepare us for this time.

We’ll be moving to a large metro area to accept a position at a church that does things a little differently than we’re used to. It’s going to be new and fresh…and a bit scary at the same time. We are excited, though. Excited to follow the Lord’s leading, to do something new and meet new people. And because we are following Him, we know it’s the right thing…the good thing…and we will be where we need to be, doing what we are called to do. I am sure we will love our church, our region, and meet new friends who will also become like family to us. I’m looking forward to it.

We just have to get there first. I won’t lie, I’ve been more emotional about this move than any other move we’ve made. My heart is having a hard time dealing with all the emotions not only for myself, but for Caedmon. He really has no idea what’s about to happen. We’ve told him and tried to explain as much as possible, but he doesn’t understand the whole “moving” concept. He doesn’t understand why we have to sell our house and find a new one. And in one moment he thinks we won’t be taking his toys and in another he’s worried about how we’ll take the doors from our house with us. Also, he’s quite concerned that his bed won’t fit in a box.

We are dealing with some “bitter” right now. I know the “sweet” will come because God has promised that He has plans for us that are good. (Jer. 29:11)