Moving To Texas

In the summer of 1993, Lara and I got married.  A few weeks after our honeymoon, we packed up everything we owned, and started driving west on Interstate 20.  Why?  Because we were moving 20 hours away to Texas.  I was entering seminary in Fort Worth, so that's why we made the big journey.

She cried the whole way out there.  It was her first time leaving home, so it was a big deal for her.  A time or two I wondered, "How is this going to work with her being so homesick already?"

But she hung in there.  We arrived, made good friends, got in a routine, and ended up loving our new life.  She found an awesome teaching job in Arlington, which was a short drive from our apartment.  It was a great three years for us.  In 1996, I graduated and it was time for us to move to our first church, which was in North Carolina. 

Guess what happened?

She cried the whole way from Texas to Wagram, North Carolina.  Lara had grown to love the Lone Star State.  And she missed it greatly when we left.

Still today we laugh about that.  My, how things changed!  It's funny how that happens in life.

This little story about Lara reminds me of something...

Change is hard, but it can be done. 

At first, it was tough for Lara.  She struggled with it emotionally for a little while.  But she ended up loving that stage of life. 

Maybe you're facing a change right now at church, work, school, or home.  And perhaps it's difficult for you.  Just remember that God can help you adapt and thrive in this new chapter of life.  Sure, it might seem tough at first, but hang in there.  It gets better.  In time, you can adjust and learn to appreciate this season of life.

One thing I've learned about life is that it doesn't stay the same forever.  Things change.  When that happens, don't fight it or choose misery.  Accept it as the next part of your life's story, and charge enthusiastically into this new opportunity to learn, grow, and soar.

Change.  It's not the end of the world.  It's just the door through which we step into a new chapter of life.  And it can be a wonderful experience!