LET GO OF THE PAST

Well, here we are looking at another move ahead. This one seems more of an emotional crisis than the others in the past I do not know why. We are a Navy family and use to move every three or so years. Maybe I am getting older and the older we get the more we resist change and let me tell you moving is change. This time we are planning to move into something much smaller. Our kids are grown and seldom do they all come home with their kids at the same time so we have painfully realized we do not need a four bedroom, 2 ½ bathroom, 2,300 square foot home with all the bells and whistles. And we have realized we have some cleaning out to do and its always so hard. I said it before and I will say it again; if I had my druthers we would have a sit-down family meal with all the kids, their spouses, and their kids once a month, but we know that is not what will happen for now. God has bigger fish to fry and in accordance to His will we will just be grateful for the times we see our kids which is usually separate. What special memories we have with our kids growing up. Some of the stabilizing foundations in their lives has been God, family, and us taking them to church. One day Dave asked Daniel, after he left home for the U.S. Air Force, what he misses the most about leaving home. Dave was surprised when he said, “Bible Book.” All of the times we would have family devotion had a great impact on Daniel and the rest of our wonderful kids. Anyway, we surely do not like change and an uncertain future, yet God expects us to “buck-up” and trust Him in both. As we grow in Him He brings more and more restrictions and limitations into our lives to make us more conformable into the image of His precious Son Jesus. Our family is grown and gone, our circle of friends gets ever smaller and the years go by while we are restricted from doing what we what to do and where we want to go. The longer we go with God the narrower and narrower the way gets. Our way is not broad, but narrow and our obedience to Him in through the straight gate. Jesus taught us, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) This “strait gate” this narrow way is an ever narrowing of things of this world in our lives until He can pull us away to a quiet place with Him. The longer we go with God the narrower and tougher things get. Approving and qualifying for the things of God takes center stage in our lives. This is the natural progression for the Saint who desires the things of God. Not so with those in the world who do not desire to know God and His ways. It is easy to see which way you are on; the broad way is crowded with people running to and fro for things and fame, even Christians running to do good works, but if we are running after the world we shall not be after Him. But the narrow way, although narrow, is easy walking, no real competition for space on the way. Remember the way that “leadeth unto life (not heaven) “few be that find it.” If we allow God He will take us to the place where we will be content living in a one bedroom apartment or trailer. As our kids grow older and are following God on their own some have moved further away so they too will learn to lean on God and their spouses as we have done. Now it is their time to get big houses and enlarge their families (their time is coming to get smaller) while it is our time to die daily to our wants and desires to see and be with them ever the more. I have really enjoyed the big ole houses, quite frankly God has really spoiled us. Our next house will be a little smaller and will meet our need, but at the same time screams, “the kids are not coming home so grow up and throw out some of that old junk.” Yes Lord. Growing up stinks, but how much it adds to our Christians character and witness (now and in heaven) as we follow God in the way He has chosen for each of us to go. Remember the best is yet to come. Written by Karen Stahl.