May 16 2009
Going From Exile to A New Home (All In The Same Place)
I am feeling a little bit overwhelmed right now because I am thinking about all of the things that I have to be thankful for. [What a great problem to have!]
I am extremely blessed to be a Christian and to have the foundation of the Word in my life, God as my father, an example to follow[Jesus], and hope.
In addition to this, I am also thankful for web-cams, email, letters, cell-phones and happy memories. Having just moved to a new state where my husband and I do not have any family nearby, technology enables us to stay in touch with everybody. I e-mail former co-workers with whom I was friendly with. I Facebook all my friends and family who are on Facebook. I web-cam with my minister. I speak with friends and family on the phone. Let’s be real. Life is great.
I will be honest with you, there were periods of loneliness and feelings of, “What did we just do? Why did we move here?” I did have moments where dwelt on these nonproductive feelings of loss or helplessness [which are totally contrary to the power that we have in Christ Jesus and God– our sufficiency] and nothing happened. I was still lonely and I still did not have friends. Who wants to make friends with a sour face anyway, who only talks about missing her former home?
Instead of staying in that negative headspace, I made a conscious effort and turned that frown upside down.
Rather than looking at the separation from family and friends in New Jersey, I have the opportunity to make friends in Florida. In addition to this, I am no longer thinking of Florida as a place of exile, but instead as my new home.
It is amazing what a simple change in thought process can do for your heart and mind.
Proverbs 18:24 (King James Version)
24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Thank God for old friends and new friends.
Thank God for believers all around the world too!
Unrelated but very sweet, an lonely old tortoise becomes a father. Click to read.
