Excuse me while I preach to myself.

Well, it's here. The torrent of lists, packing, and general madness has unequivocally arrived. I've realized that the pace of our lives right now is far from slowing down, and that since the intensity will not change, my perspective must. My modus operandi in times of madness like these typically looks like the following:

1. put your head down and power through, dominating any and every list in a continental radius
2. look up just long enough to feel completely inept and overwhelmed
3. commence melt down
4. attempt to blame feelings in #2 and #3 on innocent bystander, most frequently and unfortunately = hubby
5. make yourself sick from lack of sleep, unnecessary worry, and delusions that you had any control over your life to begin with

Well, thankfully(?) we've already covered the above ground this past week. And seeing as how we are still many days, lists, and events away from the big move, I've decided things have got to change, and I highly doubt my beloved would disagree. Here are the things on which I am setting my mind:

1. Each day I will accept as a gift, in which I have the opportunity to treasure the people and places God has in front of me - right here, and right now.
2. Every moment is a chance for me to pour back all that has been given to me in this season of our lives - and is purposefully intended by our Creator.
3. Regardless of lists, appointments, and things to be done - our (ONE-WAY!!) tickets are purchased. We have seats on a plane, that will land us on another side of the globe regardless of what I do or do not get done.
4. God, in His infinite, matchless mercy - has allowed me such a time as this, as a gift and an essential piece of what is next.

(I don't know about you, but I already feel better. ) Something I also know about myself, is that I am no good at transitions whatsoever. I would highly prefer the band aid approach to changes in life - let's decide, and LET'S DO IT, preferably ASAP. It's much simpler, right? The in between, any sadness or pain - is supposedly momentary that way. Clearly, few things in life are that simple or easy. Times of transition make me antsy. Not from boredom, heavens no, but from readiness. Ready to go, do, and be in a new place. Ready to move past difficult goodbyes and painful transitions.

As I have been thinking about this, I think of the countless instances in both scripture and our own lives that are seldom as quick or painless as the band-aid method. Wandering Israelites, dazed and confused disciples in the wake of Jesus' death and later ascension - these days of waiting were ordained by God to teach His people trust, obedience, and longing. The in-between times - while challenging, fraught with excitement and even worry, are GOOD. They are NECESSARY, so that we are most fully as God intended.

This is the truth I am clinging to these days. That while I would rather just take off and start running towards the Far East, its not time yet. I still need to be shaped by those around me, I still need to hug my mama, I still need to laugh with my friends. Not only for them, but for me. I am still being formed, not yet ready to walk into whats ahead. And although I don't relish the awkwardness of being in between, I don't want to miss out on these kind of moments.


Or these kinds of friends.

So as you think about it, pray for us. Pray that our hearts would be content to press on, headfirst into the challenges of the in-between. Pray that we would finish WELL - loving fully those who mean so much to us. Pray that as so many things demand our attention, that our hearts would remain steadfast, wholly set on He who sustains.