"Leavin' On A Jet Plane"

The thought of being hundreds of feet above land in a flying football field with very little possibility of exit, surrounded by countless people I have never seen before in my life is beginning to get to me. I mentioned having autistic tendencies in my last post, and believe me, it's true.

I was doing some shopping for a friend in Febuary of this past year and it required my passing the greeting card section on the evening before Valentine's Day. I went sweating and praying the whole way through and then couldn't shake the feeling of being surrounded by so many people and therefore was shaking on the inside as well as trying to get in a fetal position while walking through the rest of the store. It's a bit awkward when complete strangers are seeing you twitch, flop your wrists, and raise your tongue to the roof of your mouth to keep from balling up on the floor.

I am scheduled to depart on the morning of Labor Day and am looking foward to the arrival in California, however when someone asks are you excited; I can only think of the plane ride there. Sure, there are some details I need to get worked out before I leave and the emotions of being apart from family and friends, as well as trying to hold to the new guidelines of air travel, but those things are mild considerations in comparison to actually getting on the plane. I'm not afraid of crashing or terriorists, just the common person who may be sitting next to me.

The challenge for me then is to remain calm in Jesus. To look beyond that body next to me and trying to share an armrest with them, toward the soul that dwells within and it's need for Christ. An hour and a half to Dallas is quite a while to share the Good News.

If you think of it, please pray for this hypertensive person who can't stand to be trapped in the back corner of her very own church by people, who she is completely comfortable with, while they engage in excellent conversation.

"No need to be anxious we have heard His Son say..."

"Go West?"

Mixed Blessings

Greetings three readers (an exaggeration, I'm sure) :)

About a month and a half ago, my primary employer told me that there was a real possibility that the family would be relocating to California. She also said that in an effort to make the transition flow better for the children, in the event the move was to be made, they would like me to join them for a month or two. This was, I suppose, a warning that my little world was in for yet another change.

I felt a bit like Jimmy Durante. Do I stay or do I go?

My first reaction as one who has lived nearly 26 years in the same 50 mile radius was: “Yeah! I’m there.” Though not spoken aloud. This came as a great surprise to me considering the fact that I show autistic tendencies when big decisions arise or changes are made in my life. Perhaps I thought, “this is my every day life that is changing, I must hold on to it.”

The truth is however that God is continually changing the world we live in as a means to bring us closer to Him and to show Himself as even more glorious than we had seen before. Praise Him that He doesn’t check with me first or we’d all be stuck in the same place all the time. It is my hope and prayer that I will be drawn closer to Him daily, but too often I get in the way of that sanctifying process by trying to be content and therefore end up not being content because I’m not in the will of God.

Any way, I’m sure you’re all just waiting to hear if their move will happen or not: Yes. They will be departing near the end of August, leaving Arkansas behind for the sunny San Francisco Bay area. Upon this news (which I received on my birthday) my heart sank. I would now be asked to make a decision that would not only change my life but those I love and care for deeply.

You may say, “It’s only a month or two, what could happen in that amount of time?” Well, there are about six birthdays to miss as well as an excellent Bible conference in Colorado. Not to mention a communion or two with the brethren I’ve worshiped with for the last nine and a half years.

Well, after much concerted prayer and deliberation with God’s people I’m now making arrangements to board a plane for the first time in my life.

What was it that made my decision sure?

I ask you friend, pray for these precious souls in the midst of turbulent times. As for me; though my heart will long for the fellowship of my home church and the blessings of being so close to my family, I know that I want to follow my God in all that He has for me to walk in and through. I pray with confidence that the grace of God will follow me even 1,500 miles from the place I commonly lay my head and show that He is my home.

Thanks for reading and praying.

Love Him