Within the last 2 weeks, 2 of my dear friends lost close family members. It is by God’s grace & guiding hand that He has shown me that by coming home, I was able to share in their grief. Coming home was in His plan all along!
When I left for college in 1988, I really didn’t think I would ever return. After graduating from college, I moved to a big city of 4 million. I fell in love with all the excitement & activities that the big city had to offer. I became a bonefide “CITY GIRL” and loved my life there for over 15 years.
After a whirlwind long-distance courtship, I eloped & married a wonderful godly man that I had been close friends with during my youth. Soon afterward, I left a city of 4 million to move to a town of 1400 so that my new husband could remain an integral part of his 12-year-old son’s life.
In this small town, I missed the big city and my friends I left behind. Because I was a little over an hour from where I grew up, I was able to reconnect with old friends, albiet on a limited scale.
After a year of small town life, both my husband and I longed for the convenience of a city. We began to plan for our return “HOME”. I had been gone from Central Texas nearly 19 years and, although my husband did not grow up in the area, he had lived in Central Texas for nearly 20 years, so it had become “home” for him as well.
Since our move nearly 3 years ago, I have personally lost 4 family members and have watched as close friends have tragically lost family members as well. By coming home, I have been able to personally share condolences and hopefully give comfort to my friends and family. I wouldn’t have been able to do this living away in the big city.
Looking back, I can see God’s guiding hand in my life to bring me home. Proverbs 16:9 says “a man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.” As a single girl in the big city, I never thought I would ever leave big city life; however, the husband God chose for me determined the steps to bring me back home to my roots.
Thank you, Lord, for having plans to give me hope and a future that I NEVER expected! (Jeremiah 29:11) I love the fabulous life you have given me!!!!
Hugs to you!
~penny
http://txpenelope.blogspot.com/
