Peace, Grace and Mercy

Well, if you have been reading my blog since the beginning, I am sure that you are all too aware of the fact that I was moving back to South Carolina. I am very happy to tell you that I am back in South Carolina and, most importantly, I am home!!!

In the weeks leading up to the move, I became very apprehensive of why I was so CALLED back to South Carolina. Wilmington was feeling more and more like home the longer that I stayed there. Even though there were so many things about Wilmington that I did not like, the pros were definitely outweighing the cons. Everyone kept asking why I was moving. The only reasons I had for moving was that it was right and was what God was calling me to do. Those answers do not satisfy most people. Everyone wanted to know if I had a different job, a new man or any other good reason to move away from a completely comfortable life in Wilmington. The more others asked the question of me, the more I asked the same of God. In the midst of all the questioning, though, I still had a complete peace about my decision. That peace, the peace that only comes from the Father, is what sustained me and kept me on track. I am so thankful for the peace that only God can give. You can't wrap words around it, you can only experience it and you can only experience when you are right, smack-dab in the middle of obedience.

God is just so good. He knew that I would go through all of the emotions that I did in the immediate weeks prior to moving. His grace was more than sufficient as I cried on late night flights or in my hotel room at night. His grace was comfort. Although I was sad that I had to leave my friends and life in Wilmington, it was only by His grace that I had joy in those very difficult and lonely times.

God always, always provides what we need right when we need it. It was just last Monday that I was thinking about leaving and all that I had to do to be prepared for the move. I was at a low point, wondering if my friendships that I left behind 2 years ago would be the same. I wondered if I would be lonelier than before I left South Carolina. I had indeed changed, so I know that my friends had too. I was just worried that I would have no friends. If you know me well, you know that I love friends and cherish all of my relationships. God was not surprised by all of the fears that were being perpetuated by Satan's lies. I opened up my email that night and saw an invitation to Supper Club. Before I moved to Wilmington, a group of girls would meet for supper club once or twice a month. I believe that Supper Club kind of fizzled and this was an attempt at kicking it off again. This may seem very insignificant to you, but in that moment I felt God's mercy engulf me. He gently whispered to me..."I will never leave you or forsake you...I love you."

Now that the move is complete and I am back in my home, I am really surprised by how easy everything has been. The time leading up to me leaving Wilmington was the hardest. I am excited to see what God has planned for me. But, as I walk away from this experience, I walk away a completely different woman. God has forever changed my heart.

If you feel God calling you to the impossible...go for it! You will never be sorry and you will learn to love and trust God in big and mighty ways.