My family has moved quite a bit. But whether we’ve moved a few minutes away or a few hours away, it’s never been an easy process.
Selling a home, finding a suitable new one, getting your belongings from one place to another and setting up a new place is pretty stressful.
Military folks, bless your hearts, you move all the time, so I’m sure you get very efficient at it! I’m always in awe of my friends who move every three years to a new community. But I know it isn’t easy.
Even under the best of circumstances, when you are excited about the move or the new house, there’s almost always a bit of apprehension surrounding such a big change. My family is facing transition once again as we are packing up our house that we’ve lived in for the past six and a half years and moving over an hour away to Seattle to bring our family closer together.
We feel God has laid this move on our hearts for this season of our life. We feel at peace as we have prayed for wisdom and protection as we move forward.
Our heart is to serve the Lord, wherever He leads.
Even so, we can’t help but have a little bit of fear and apprehension for all the what ifs. It isn’t an easy move. My son is changing schools, and as a teenager, that means he feels like his world is ending and I’m the obvious cause.
My heart breaks for my son as he fears this change, because even though I want to believe with all my heart this will be a good move for all of us, change feels risky when you can’t see the outcome. He doesn’t always see that I am FOR him, watching our steps and praying protection over him to the very best of my ability as his mom.
I’m making the move for his good. I’m making decisions because of him, not in spite of him. I am going before him and following after him, even when he doesn’t see it. I’d go to the ends of the earth for that boy to make sure he was safe.
If only he knew and found hope in that truth.
We will move to a different home, in a different place, so I too fear this big change and the impact on our lives. My husband and I — as the grownups — feel like the weight of the world is sometimes on our shoulders.
Who knows what could happen if we step out in faith, believing this decision is best for our family?
Even with our best intentions, one false move and it could all feel like a terrible mistake. Moving is scary, but I want to have hope.
I believe God is going before us and behind us and in every detail that we entrust to Him.
Whether we see His hand of protection or not, whether the outcome is what we dreamed of or not, God is for us and with us. The journey is where we learn faith, hope, and trust for the destination. We are always safe, because we are His children.
As I was traveling on business this past week, I had the opportunity to sit and chat with several women who began to share their hopes and dreams for a home for their family. I love that women can connect and share a bit of their hearts and home stories with me.
As a home blogger, I am amazed by what a universal thing it is to have that even small subconscious hope for a safe and comfortable home to dwell in and nurture our family. And while we all hope for that safe place, we also fear that hope. Because, what if?
The precious women I spoke with last week were in tears as they described their dreams of a future home (no matter how humble and realistic the vision might be!) because they feared leaning into those dreams with too much hope.
Some were reflecting back in amazement because they are now moving into the home of their dreams, in complete awe of how God worked out the little details after years trying to suppress or hang on to the hope. God gives good gifts. And some were still holding their breath, feeling fragile or vulnerable, waiting for contracts, or a loan to go through. Others are still hoping for the right house and community to be found even under less than ideal circumstances.
Some have felt the sting of disappointment for so long, hoping for good things is just far too risky. But God is still God. He’s still a giver of good gifts, if we recognize them for what they are.
Hope is trusting in God’s goodness and faithfulness, no matter what that looks like.
Until the key is in your hand and you can bolt the door safely behind you, there’s naturally an uneasy feeling when you are still walking on the bumpy road. Whether we are chasing our dreams, following God’s calling for our family, or just making the best of a situation, we all face times of change that will challenge us to surrender, to fear, and to cling to hope. A new home, a new community, a new job, a new school, a new situation.
God goes before us and behind us, watching over us, and no matter what, He’s for us.
We learn to trust in what we know about His love for us, in his promises, not in what we see around us. Because even in the twists and turns and bumps and bruises along the way, His goal is always to take our hand and lead us safely home. There’s hope in the journey and we can look forward to the destination, because we are safe when we trust the Navigator.
What hopes are you fearing? Will you pray for our family as we journey toward a new place (you can follow us here)?
How could we pray for you, today?
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Sabra Penley says
My prayer request is for two precious friends who need hope in a big way this day. This sweet couple has faced unbelievable struggles with his health over the last two years–cancer, meningitis, brain injury, 10 months in the hospital. Just two months ago he was given an all-clear on the cancer. But now, they found it might be back. He is again in a hospital with a mass squeezing his carotid artery. His body is frail from all that he’s been through. Today he is to have surgery to insert a pacemaker, just so they can keep his heart beating to go through more surgery. His wife is so tired and weary. Being a caregiver 24/7 is its own kind of suffering. She is staying at the hospital with him. And THEY NEED HOPE TODAY. Please pray Mark and Evva. They need to see the Lord in a big way. Thank you for your prayers.
Melissa Michaels says
Sabra, I’m praying God will bring hope to Mark and Evva. Thanks for sharing their heartbreaking story so we can go before the Lord and pray.
Sabra Penley says
Would you mind praying once more today? Pacemaker is working. But the situation is looking dire, and the doctors are unsure what to do. Please pray for wisdom and peace for the doctors and Mark and Evva. Thank you!
Melissa Michaels says
Sabra, I prayed yesterday when I received your message and continue to pray for peace, comfort and hope in this hard situation.
Sabra Penley says
Thank you so much. You’re a blessing.
Beth Williams says
Sabra,
Prayers for Mark and Evva. Caregiving is tough–I watched my dad do it for two years. May God bring healing to Mark and relief for Evva. Prayers for peace and contentment and for doctors to know what to do!
Blessings 🙂
Sabra Penley says
Thank you, Beth. I am passing on your prayers to Mark and Evva. I know it is an encouragement to them. Blessings to you.
Julie says
Please pray for my family. My husband and son have strayed from God. My husband is struggling with an addiction that he’s trying so hard to overcome and our daughter has been battling with an ED for the past 3 years. So along with this we are having financial struggles that there seems no end to. Please pray for strength and healing and faith, we know the Lord will bring us through and has a plan, it is just so hard sometimes
Melissa Michaels says
I’m so sorry, Julie. My heart goes out to you. I pray God will strengthen you and your faith and that you will see his hand and feel his presence as you walk this difficult journey.
Kristen says
Thank you for this post, perfect timing. As my family and I venture into the transition from public school to homeschool, we were feeling unsure about if we made the right decision. Thank you for reminding me that God goes before us and behind us, and that renews hope for us. It will all be good, because we go with God :).
Alli says
I ask for prayer for my family and for myself. I took a couple of years and fell apart with severe PTSD. now I am recovered, and God is using me, but my children and husband need recovery as well. we need to be a family who interacts well with each other and focuses on God’s purposes. there are many things that went by the wayside as I recovered, and I am pushing past the guilt to fight for my family. pray God’s purposes and healing for my family. my kids are both 13… not easy anyway!! but not too big for God!
Melissa Michaels says
Amen, God’s got this. I’m glad you are doing better and I pray God will bring healing to your family. God is for you and your family, I pray you’ll feel his power in your fight.
Joanne says
Father, I come before your throne of grace on behalf of these prayer requests. I thank You for your faithfulness and goodness and for your mercy and grace when we need it most. Thank You God for your loving kindness that is better than life. Lord please help Julie’s husband, son and daughter. Lord help them with their finances. You said You would provide for all our needs according to Your riches in Christ Jesus. Thank You! In Jesus name I plead the blood of Jesus over Julie and her family and over all you have given them stewards. In Jesus Name Amen.
Father You are good! Mark ans Evva needs Your help. I ask You to grant healing, renewed strength and hope to them. God I ask that You would prove Yourself strong in their situation. They need you Jesus. Thank You for showing up! I plead Your blood over Mark and Evva. Thank You Father for the life that’s in the blood and the blood will never loose it’s power. In Jesus Name Amen
I’m hoping for restoration of my friendship with Mark. In Jesus Name.
Marianne says
I am currently asking God to lead me. I had a chance to buy family home and panicked. Now I feel I made a mistake and have been asking God to bring it back to me. I am having trouble hearing his direction. My heart is broken
Melissa Michaels says
Hi Marianne, I’m praying for peace and new direction for you. Hang in there.
Joanne says
Melissa, I prayer in Jesus Name that God would bless you and your family with a smooth move. I pray that all will be well with your son as he transitions into a new school and making of new friends. I pray that you new home will be lovely with all the things you have dreamt about having and it will be comfortable and peaceful. I pray God would bless you with great neighbors and friendships. Thank You God for being to Melissa and her family and for blessing them with this wonderful opportunity and for all the good things they will receive from Your hand. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
I wish you all the best!
Melissa Michaels says
Thank you Joanne, that means a lot to me
Tammy says
My family is facing a move too, but the timing is not aligning well with the start of school. Please pray for us as we finalize a job change and plan a move. We have a daughter starting college in the fall and a rising 8th grader and a rising 9th grader. Everyone is anxiously awaiting our open door. Then we will sell our house and get moving. God has met us in our moves in the past and I know He will provide all we need, but moving with three teenagers is tough.
Melissa Michaels says
Praying for your move, Tammy! It is hard but I believe as you do that God will met you and go before you to pave the way for just what you and your kids need. Take care.
Allison says
My prayer request is for my family. My husband and I have been separated for 16 months. I just want our family to be whole again. He has made huge steps away from the life he had chosen over us, but our family is still fractured. My heart hurts for our 3 boys, ages 10, 7, and 5. My heart hurts to see my husband so blinded and consumed by Satan and his lies. My heart hurts for myself, because every day I wake up and feel unwanted and unloved. Please pray for all of us, and for our family.
Veronica says
Hi Allison, praying for you, your husband, and your boys. I’m sorry for what you all are going through. Please know that you ARE loved and wanted by God. Now and always. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” xox
Melissa Michaels says
I’m praying for you and your family, Allison. I can’t imagine your pain but I know God is for your marriage and for your family. His heart breaks, too. His arms are wrapped around you. You are loved and wanted. I pray for miracles and transformation.
JeanneTakenaka says
Melissa, I loved the truths you share about believing God is trustworthy, even when we can’t see His hand directly. Walking out faith in Him can be so hard,especially when He doesn’t answer our prayers on our time schedule. I loved what you said here: “But God is still God. He’s still a giver of good gifts, if we recognize them for what they are.” Recognizing God’s gifts . . . I’m not always good at this.
We were a military family, and we’ve made a few moves in our time. Our kids were small when we moved from Las Vegas to Colorado, but one of them hates change, so even at two years old, he struggled. I can only imagine how gentle your interactions must be as your son works through the changes to his world as he knows it. I’ll definitely be praying for you.
Prayers for me would be great as I mother our two boys. We’re headed into the teen years. One is very strong-willed, which I can see as the gift it is . . . most of the time. He has some deep fears. I could use prayers for God’s wisdom and to see his emotional outbursts through God’s eyes and respond accordingly.Thank you so much!
Melissa Michaels says
Thank you, Jeanne. I appreciate your prayers so much. I’m praying for you too. The teen years can be hard on us mamas. May God be with you and go before you as you guide your children. Our trust in Him is a covering over them even we feel so inadequate as a parent. God is faithful. That is a truth that kept me going through my girls’ teen years and will through raising my son. Take care.
Penny says
Hi Melissa,
I remember when we were one of those families that moved constantly. I still feel like I should be doing just that.I will keep you in my prayers that the Lord will guide you to where you are meant to be. And that all will be well for you and your family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all today…..That the hardships you and your loved ones are faced will be softened.
Over the past few weeks our community has lost three members, two of them tragically. I would be grateful if you would please keep their families and friends in your prayers.
Bless you and thank-you,
Penny
Melissa Michaels says
I’m so sorry Penny, I am praying for them in this tragedy.
Melissa Smith says
Melissa, I’m excited for you and your family. I will pray for a drama-free move! And I’m not sure where in “Seattle” you’re moving to, but I’m north in the Mill Creek area & would love to help in any way if you’re headed this way. 🙂
Melissa
melissajoysmith@yahoo.com
Melissa Michaels says
Oh, you are so sweet. Thank you!! I’m not quite sure exactly where we are going yet, ha, but if all goes according to my hopes our plan is to be somewhere in the area between Magnolia and Shoreline. 🙂
Veronica says
Hi Melissa, Said a prayer for you and your family. It is a good thing to move to be closer to family. Our moves have taken us a further distance from both of our families (God keeps moving us further South :), but our goal is to one day be able to move closer to them. Best wishes and prayers for your move to Seattle.
Melissa Michaels says
Thanks Veronica, that means a lot to me.
Pattie says
So feel ya. We made a similar move six months ago. My 16 year old daughter really struggled alot. But now she’s looking forward to her next school year with her new friends and adventures. Change can be so hard.
Melissa Michaels says
That is encouraging, it is hard to wade through the transition time but I believe in the end he is going to be very happy. Thanks so much for the encouragement.
Margaret says
This post finds me in the middle of a transition in life. My husband and I are taking a big step of faith and taking on a new job together. I’ve struggled to put my faith in God during this time and I grieve for that. What a beautiful reminder to read this morning. Thank you!
Paige Estes says
Yep, that’s it. I fear leaning into that hope too much. So many things I hoped did not happen. And I feel the timing is over, too late for those things so moving on. I don’t dwell on it because I believe God is working and so many things are so so good. But those hopes and dreams? Yeah, lets not get carried away. Coming to the thrown boldly begins to fade when the hopes are not realized. Not wanting to complain because others have it so much tougher than I. Surely my boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places. So I choose today to just praise and not dream too much. Not lean into that hope too much. Just praise for today and where I am.
Melissa Michaels says
Good words, we always have so much to be grateful for and we can praise him for where we are, even if it wasn’t where we expected.
Louise says
I cried at having disappointment for too long that hoping is just too risky. This is hard to read. I think having a christian husband is not going to be answered and having children of my own is soon passing me by. Today ive had a wonderful day of being with my dear friend,and her children. Delightful. Coming home to an empty quiet house is hard but to the world that may offer many benefits. So I have life, health and Jesus. So I praise God. Paige Estes, I really felt your comment. I send you love xx
Melissa Michaels says
Praying for you Louise, may you lean into Him and find joy in the journey he has for you. xo
Victoria says
My husband was laid off 7 weeks ago. It feels so big- I know I can trust God, but sometimes it just hurts so much.
Valerie Pennington says
Heavenly Father: I feel Victoria’s pain. I know you feel it acutely. Lord, I lift Victoria and her husband up to you. I pray that as they walk through this season, they lean into you, they feel peace and strength in you and that they are still enough to sense your presence. As Psalm 121 says, you will not slumber and are watching over them. You will keep them from all harm. You have gone before them and prepared the way. I pray for them in the name of your son, our saviour, Jesus.
Victoria says
Thank you!
Melissa Michaels says
Oh, that is so hard, Victoria! We’ve been there and it is a low season of life. I pray God will comfort you, go before you and lead you in this valley. God is faithful, as dark as those days are, the light will shine again. Even if the road is full of unexpected twists and turns. He’s right there with you. Take care.
Beth Williams says
Victoria,
Father please help Victoria’s husband find a job soon. It feels like a big weight on her shoulders. You knew long ago that this would happen. May she cling to Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you”. Declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. To give you a hope and a future”. Help her sense your very presence and let her know all will be well soon!
Blessings 🙂
Carol says
I’ve just prayed for your son. My family moved before my 7th grade year (fabulous move), my 8th grade year (difficult move), and my 10th grade year (another difficult move). God used the “good” (to me) one and the difficult ones to press me to Himself. ALL teenagers feel lonely and out of step at times…not a bad thing if we use it to realize GOD must be our Rock, not friends or family.
Melissa Michaels says
Yes, such good words of wisdom to remember. These lonely times of change can help us to lean on Him and grow in our relationship with Him. Thank you for your prayers.
Mamalny says
we waited for a year for the YES and finally got it..the house search was a struggle and this move by far the most difficult for many reasons but as we are now with family..not a day goes by ,even with much uncertainty, that i don’t praise Him for his YES! God’s waiting room is a difficult place to live..but we can persevere with God’s help!
Melissa Michaels says
Amen!
Susie Longbottom says
I left America in December 2011 to move to the UK with my English husband. After 20 months in America and 167 job applications, our dream of living in America was shattered. We have a good life here. We love each other and are happy with each other, but I’ve still not found a church home. I also miss my grown children, grandchildren, and my PEOPLE so much that some days it chokes me. I feel like I am missing their lives. It breaks my heart. I need to find acceptance and peace and a church home. Where is God’s plan for me here?
Melissa Michaels says
I’m praying for you Susie, that is a lonely journey. I pray for God’s peace in this time and guidance to find the chuch community you long for. xo
Alia_Joy says
I loved getting to know you and I’ve been praying for your move and for your house. We go in tomorrow and sign the papers to close. I am often stunned at the goodness of God but today I’m stunned by His provision for us in such specific ways. God is good.
Melissa @ The Inspired Room says
Cheering for you, what a wonderful gift and answer to prayer. God is good and I couldn’t be happier to hear the conclusion to this story! So good spending time with you, hearing your heart, and now following your adventures. XO
Beth Williams says
Melissa,
Prayers for you and your family as you move. Moving is never easy and especially for teens in Middle and HS. I pray God’s protection on you! Prayers for safe and quick move, and a new loving community found!
Prayers for everyone here today! May God meet each one of your needs quickly. I pray you all find peace and contentment!
My prayers are simple: 1) unspoken–illness; 2) Friend’s father dying and she just lost her mother Thanksgiving day 2014; 3) strength for me as I quit my job to be more available to assist in my aging father’s care. (Sundowner’s) and dying some.
Thanks everyone!
melissa @ the inspired room says
I’m praying for your needs both spoken and unspoken, Beth. Praying God meets each and every one of them. Thank you for your encouragement.