I’m sitting on the chair in the family room and just got done doing some devotions. My body is rested, but there is a rustling in my spirit and a bit of an anxiety for things to come. My parents are outside on the porch talking. Estie’s boyfriend, Brian, just walked in from the basement. He and Estie drove down from Indiana for my youngest sister’s, Leah, graduation. I just read my dad’s blog about saying goodbye to our family dog, Abby, who’s been with us since we moved into this house. We’ll say our goodbyes in a couple of hours. Change is in the air here.
I’ve been moving around from thing to thing for he past couple of years as God has refined me, challenged me and overall changed me. I am a very different person now than I was two years ago. Coming home I feel familiarities creeping up on me, sneakily pushing me back into an old mold. I push them back and reclaim my new identity in Christ. And now I feel nostalgic.
It seems like yesterday I was twelve and running around in the woods with my friend Aaron and Daniel Watson while Estie played “house” with their sister, Alisha. We would create forts out of trees, leaves, grass, lumps in the ground, anything and everything. We were held back only by the furthest reaches of our imagination. Alisha just called and is on the way to our house for a couple of days with the family; Aaron remains a close friend; and several months ago I stood in Daniel’s wedding. We are all close, but a new season has come and I hardly even realized it. As I sit back now reflecting and looking into the future, I wonder when we’ll be together again and the changes that will have taken place in my family’s lives without me noticing.
This morning I went to the AIM office to join a new World Race team’s time of worship. It’s strange the feelings that overcome me as I think back to nearly two years ago when I was in their shoes, looking around at the brave few that lifted their hands in worship and the one crazy girl that jumped here and there. What a wonderful journey the Lord has taken me on and continues to lead me into.
Later this summer I’ll move back to Nicaragua to disciple young men and help empower the Nicaraguans to disciple each other. Perhaps when I come back again one of my family members will be moving out of the country, getting married, ushering a pet out of the world, growing in understanding of God or their identity in him. Perhaps I will.
As we prepare to say goodbye to Abby, we remember the life she brought to this family and thank God for her. For the past 15 years she was a part of our lives and was the first to welcome us whenever we come home. Next time we return, I imagine we’ll thank God for family and memories and embrace the numbered days we have together.
