What I learned this Fall 2019

Monday, December 9, 2019


We moved to our new home in the beginning of Fall. I didn't decorate my previous home for Fall because it would be too much. Once we arrived where we are, we joyfully put all our decorations out.

Now that we are ready for Christmas, I'm thinking about the lessons I learned during these short, formative weeks we've had in our new community.

• The answers to your prayers might be disguised as a new opportunity. If I can just stop putting God on a box, I can see Him at work more often.

• When you move to a new community, you find out who your true friends are. There is nothing wrong with acquaintances. I do appreciate the true friends I left behind.

• When you move to a new community, you find true friends. I am sure I will have acquaintances. I do appreciate the true friends I found already.

• Making new friends can be uncomfortable. Press through the weirdness anyway.

• Even if you make others uncomfortable, stand in your confidence. This is kind of the story of my life. My confidence is in the finished work of Christ on the cross. He has given me so much good, I just want to walk in that abundance.

• In the midst of uncertainty, hold on to what you know for sure. I know that God loves me. I know my family certainly loves me. I also know that no matter what, God's for me.

• It takes a long time to unpack a home. I learned that unpacking is not really a competition. It is about prioritizing my family's wellbeing and gaging how much energy I have to unpack.

• I learned to get over the state of my home when people came over to visit. It did feel a little embarrassing to showcase a home filled with boxes (in the beginning) and recently, it was tough to stand in a kitchen filled with dirty dishes and clutter. I decided right there and then that at least people can see how a real home looks like. I also decided to clean and make sure the other 40 people at least saw clean dishes drying.

• When you feel bad, fill your environment with praise. God encouraged me to do that in our first few weeks in our new community. It really does work.

• Good things coming from God happen. Even in the Fall. I'm thankful.

More in this series:
• Spring 2018
• Summer 2018
• Fall 2018
• Winter 2019
• Spring 2019
Summer 2019