In a transition is not my favorite place to be. Of course, it depends on what it involves. In my current case, I am moving to go to Grad School. Some may see this as an exciting time while others cannot believe I would ever want to return to college once I escaped its clutches. My perspective includes a bit of both. While school may open up more opportunities for me, I am not exactly sure what I’m getting myself into. I have no idea what Grad School will involve other than class, papers, and a thesis looming over my head. I’m sure it won’t be that bad, considering that I have enjoyed school in the past. Plus, I will be returning to old friends and will be closer to family. Those are both good things.

On the flip side, I will be leaving a city that I have grown to love, a wonderful church and a great community. I will miss my newer friends; our lunches and dinners together, Bible studies, Rock Band and Guitar Hero, bowling, talking, laughing, and sipping coffee at Starbucks or the coffee cart. I am thankful for each of the individuals who have made me feel at home in a city that I initially dreaded moving to. God has truly blessed me beyond what I could have imagined with each person that He has allowed me to know on a more personal basis. I am always amazed at how He does that.

With this transition comes packing my junk back into what seems like a million boxes. I keep telling myself I have too much stuff and realize that more than ever at times like these. How did I accumulate so much stuff in less than 30 years? Why do I have it? I keep telling myself that I need to be rid of some of these things. Then, I look at it and see reminders of good times; trips, conversations, friends, etc….things that prevent me from loosening my grip and cause me to put it into a box. Box upon box have been stacking up in my living room over the past 2 weeks…so many memories.

I’m not sure what God will do in the midst of all of this, but I look forward to seeing His work. I know that He turns everything around for good, as He has always done in the past. I know that I can trust He will take care of me. He’ll provide me with a job to pay for my expenses. He will bring me to a new church and help me with the transition into a new church community. He will send blessings my way that I haven’t even imagined yet. He’s awesome like that. So, I needn’t worry. Worry is just a lack of faith anyway. I keep telling myself that everything will be fine. My friends will still be there, even if our locations keep us apart for a little while. Our hearts are still intertwined.

I tell myself that perhaps God will bring me back to this place; back to these friends, this church and this community. He definitely brought me here for a reason and even though I’m leaving for now, my heart tells me that I will be back one day. At this point in time, I look forward to that day while trying to bring my focus back to this moment, this time. It’s a time where change lay ahead and life as I know it now will not be the same tomorrow. It’s both scary and exciting, but I know that God has His strong hand on my back and is guiding me each step of the way. All I need to do is trust in Him and take the next step. Forget the details and move forward toward the next phase of my life. It’s not my plan, but His. I may say it’s transition, but He sees it as maturity and growth. I’ll go with that….it sounds better.