Technology can be a wonderful thing. While it can move us very quickly into the future, I have found it can also take us back in time. I love when Facebook memories pop up. These reminders are a wonderful souvenir of things of the past, places I have visited, pictures of people I love, and events that have been a part of my life. I love the reminder of each one of these brings. I was recently reminded that I have officially lived in Kingwood for 5 years this month. Facebook does not need to send me a refresher of all the moving our family has done over the years. It is sometimes hard to look back on all the changes and goodbyes we have undergone. My husband and I have been married 24 years and we have moved nearly 10 times. We have lived from the top of Texas to the bottom and parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas. About 14 years ago we moved to the Houston area for the first time. We lived on the west side of Houston for 10 months in 2009. I will confess that I wasn’t smitten with Houston. I was a stay-at-home mom of 3 little boys. My husband traveled a considerable amount. Our church was not very community oriented or even friendly. It appeared like our neighbors were not interested in becoming acquainted. We even had a hard time just having a meal with anyone. It was hard to meet people in that season of life I was in, and I felt like I was all alone in this place that made you melt anytime you stepped outside. If I left 5 minutes too late for school pick up, I was in traffic for hours and a simple grocery store run would often have me in a traffic jam too. I hated Houston. We moved as soon as we got a chance. I was relieved to leave such a place. I never wanted to see Houston again unless it was in my rearview mirror.
We moved to North Texas and lived there for 10 years. North Texas was closer to my family in Arkansas, which made it easier to see them. We found a sweet church quickly and we made friends that are considered family to this day. We moved into my forever home on a little piece of property. For the first time, I felt I had roots and found my people. I was happy and cozy in my life. I had it all mapped out. I could see a wonderful future in my cute house, my wonderful church, and sweet friends.
However, in the winter of 2017, God called us, of all places, back to Houston! He called me out of my wonderful comfortable life. As I sat there looking at my beautiful Christmas tree in my big bay window, I knew with certainty that we were supposed to move back to Houston and that it was God dictated. There was one problem. I did not want to go. I did not pack my bags with a faithful spirit. I did not drive my car south with a joyful heart. I had to be dragged back to Houston. I remember the day the moving truck came for our big move. I stayed in my bed as the movers walked into my house. I guess I was thinking they were going to have to carry me out of my house or maybe they would just leave me. I was willing to obey God but not without attitude and grumbling. We moved from our sweet house into temporary housing in an apartment here in Kingwood. I can remember sitting on the couch in that apartment thinking “How did I get back here; in the place I hate?”
Sometimes, when we have life all mapped out it takes us where we never expected to go and where we don’t want to go. Some of those places are places we never want anyone to walk through.
Life has some rough edges that cut deeply. Our lives sometimes end up with the dark stains of suffering. Infidelity, job loss, infertility, caring for aging parents, children that have completely rejected the Lord, health issues that will not be cured, caring for special needs children, divorce, family tensions, and difficult unbelieving spouses. These are not the things in life we expect or understand. Life can be brutally unfair. We experience loss, pain, and injury. Sometimes terrible things happen to us through no fault of our own. We want someone or something to blame. Many times, we believe that God has failed us. Scripture teaches us that when life seems unfair, God’s people should bring their complaints to God.
I did a bible study last summer on the book of Numbers. Don’t be too surprised, however, that yet again I didn’t enter this study with the correct attitude. Who in their right mind would want to study Numbers? Numbers is a hard boring book and, in the summer, no less when life is supposed to be fun and full of leisure. I was right! It was a challenging study, but it ranks as one of the top bible studies I have ever done. I learned so much and Numbers has become one of my favorites. I love these following verses from Numbers. Moses has led the children of Israel for some time now and they are being more than difficult. He brings his complaints to God.
Numbers 11:10-15 GNV
Moses heard all the people complaining as they stood around in groups at the entrances of their tents. He was distressed because the Lord had become angry with them, 11 and he said to the Lord,
“Why have you treated me so badly? Why are you displeased with me? Why have you given me the responsibility for all these people? 12 I didn’t create them or bring them to birth! Why should you ask me to act like a nurse and carry them in my arms like babies all the way to the land you promised to their ancestors? 13 Where could I get enough meat for all these people? They keep whining and asking for meat. 14 I can’t be responsible for all these people by myself; it’s too much for me! 15 If you are going to treat me like this, have pity on me and kill me, so that I won’t have to endure your cruelty any longer.”
Moses was beside himself. All Moses had ever done was work hard trying to fulfill God’s call to care for the Israelites. So, Moses prayed in exasperation. Numbers 11 is a reminder in life that even the most faithful followers can find themselves overwhelmed. I am encouraged by Moses’ words. I love that he laid it all on the line to God. He was overwhelmed and didn’t understand. He was authentically raw and honest with God about His situation.
We all have a story because of circumstances in our life. You aren’t alone when you feel like you can’t go on or would be better off dead rather than standing strong in the face of the overwhelming task God has given you. Especially when you are weak in body, soul, and spirit and the enemy is on the attack. It is, truly, comforting to know that some of the Bible’s greatest and faithful miracle workers shared these feelings. Let us not indulge hopelessness, for it may always be found. Instead, remember that we serve a God of hope and miracles. Where does our help come from? Psalm 121, is a powerful reminder of where our help comes from.
Psalm 121 ESV
My Help Comes from the Lord
A Song of Ascents.
121 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
There is a beautiful story of redemption God is offering us. It’s crucial to understand that reconciliation and redemption are not the same thing. Even if your situation does not allow for reconciliation, redemption is still yours for the choosing. It is an indescribable gift from our God who breathes life into our life and creates something new and more beautiful than ever before. Maybe the new won’t come in earthly form in your situation. It might not come until the forever in eternity; however, it will come.
I want to end by saying that I don’t hate Houston any longer. I’ve found that there are people here who love Jesus and love me in ways that aren’t seen by everybody, but in ways that are just plain beautiful. I appreciate living here in Kingwood, even during difficulties. I adore all the sweet friends the Lord has blessed me with. They are willing to link arms with me and encourage me. I couldn’t see what the Lord had ahead for me and my family and could not envision the immense blessings that awaited. I pray you cling to Lord and are honest with Him when you are overwhelmed. Trust Him even when you can’t see what He has for you and be encouraged because He will never fail you.
Tyler Settle
Women’s Ministry Associate
