Three times this past week, the following passage has been on the forefront—either through a church service, a loving, out-of-the-blue text from a friend, or in my own prescheduled Bible reading for my God-and-I-time—and I’m certain that it’s not a coincidence:
10 “This is what the Lord says: ‘You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.11 For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen.13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,’ says theLord. ‘I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.'” —Jeremiah 29:10–14
Whatever its original purpose or intent by God in the Scriptures (and I’m not a theologian, nor do I claim—or want—to be), I firmly believe God gave me those verses as a reminder of His desires for my good—in every area of my life.
I also believe that His timing is perfect—even when the results are bittersweet. I have tears streaming down my cheeks as I write this because I am writing today to announce that I will be leaving my beloved Pewaukee, Wisconsin—including my treasured friends, my spiritual fortress (Spring Creek Church), and my favorite view ever—for something that God has chosen as my new path, so it is right where I’m supposed to be.
Over the course of the next two and a half months, I will be transitioning to Northern Indiana to live with and have the honor to help care for my aging parents. They are at a place where additional assistance on a daily basis is a must, and in God’s amazing way of preparing me for this move, He has made it more than clear that, for the time being, I should be the one to help fill this role. It’s probably fitting that the motto for my new “hometown” (a community with many Amish families as nearby residents) is “Embrace the Pace!”
The hardest transition of all for me—the thing I was grasping the tightest—is my beloved Spring Creek Church. I have more love in my heart for that ministry and the precious, God-focused friends, mentors, and encouragers that I met there than just about any place on earth. It met a need when I needed it most, and I will forever be grateful for its role in accomplishing in me what God had designed long before I knew it! My first Sunday at Spring Creek, I fearfully prayed as I walked across the lot to the front doors, “Lord, I just need You to give me HOPE today…please!” I walked in the front door, and a huge banner said, “The Story of Hope!” Yes, I think that was of God!
Two Sundays ago, I planned to attend a church here in Indiana that seems to be very similar to my “home church,” but the weather was such that I couldn’t go. I was LONGING for fellowship and worship with others, but the best I could do was to watch the service online. Before I even turned on my computer, I said, “Lord, help me make it through this season of CHANGE. Provide guidance through the CHANGE…please!” The pastor at the Nappanee Missionary Church began his sermon that morning by sharing that the theme for the next eight (nine?) weeks is…wait for it…CHANGE! As I watched the livestreaming service through tear-flooded eyes, I knew I was “home.” In fact, I attended a ladies’ Bible study this morning that is doing a study of Gideon (Priscilla Shirer), and it will be a great way to get connected to those who seek the same God I seek!
May I selfishly ask for your prayers during this time of transition? I couldn’t care less about the “stuff” that I won’t have access to due to moving into my parents’ already-furnished home. But I long to have my precious, beloved, treasured friends nearby. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that there are a gazillion friends here in Indiana that I will come to love also. My friendships quickly run wide, but you also know that, for me, it takes a long time for them to run deep (another reason I recently read Relationships: A Mess Worth Making!), so I still need your prayers…please.
More importantly, please, please pray that I will be an encouragement, help, and able caretaker in the areas in which I am needed here with my parents. I am sincerely privileged to get to be here with them, helping them and, at the same time, gleaning wisdom from their years of love for each other and their years of walking with God. As you know, God has provided me with what seems to be the security of a great work-from-anywhere line of work, so that is also a blessing for which I am thankful.
I am eager to see God’s mighty hand at work as He not only changes my location but also lovingly continues to change ME so that I can be made into the likeness of His Son!
He has truly brought me “home again!” [Think: Jeremiah 29:14 meets the musical strains of “Back home again in Indiana!”]
I’ll close with the words of another, more serious, song, along with a sincere “Hallelujah” for its truths: “Jesus led me all the way!”
Brenda, your focus on the Lord’s Sovereign hand in this is just the sort of focus I prayed for myself this morning. I am grateful for your immediate example to me today. While our “changes ” have certainly been very different from one another, I have been in what seems like a series of perpetual changes myself, some “out there”, and others fairly private. The Lord is teaching me through them to trust Him more and to worship Him with joy. Thankful for that in you today, and glad for what the Lord will continue to accomplish in all of you as you help your parents through this season of their lives.
Thank you, precious Pam. I’ve been following your journey and its new trails and paths recently, and I’m excited to see what God has in store. We trust in the One Who has already walked those paths before us and now serves as our trusted guide as we walk them—so we can’t go wrong!
I haven’t even gotten to finish the post because I was stopped in my tracks when I saw the verse! He has brought this to me as well over the past week but for a different reason! LOVE HIM!! Ok,
Now back to your post.
Girl, you know I’m going to need that reason! Love you, Dee!
I’ll be praying for you as you make these changes. Northern Indiana is a wonderful place to live! 🙂
Sharon, I’m just tickled pick about the fact that we will—hopefully—get to meet up sometimes for coffee, tea, laughs, and fellowship! Thank you, friend, for your prayers!
Dear Brenda,
We will miss you greatly in Early Ones at Spring Creek Church! Your spiritual insight and willingness to pray for our needs in a way that encouraged us all have been blessings. Thank you for sharing your experience in making this decision. We usually wonder why anyone would choose to leave Wisconsin and move east (!), but understand that God is leading you. May God bless you and your ministries.
Arlene Sershon
When I joined the church, you were there to sit beside me, be excited over such a small thing with me, and graciously welcome me into the arms of Spring Creek Church, Arlene. I will certainly miss our Early Ones class, but yes, I will continue to follow the prayer requests and eagerly watch what God continues to do through each of you! Thank you for your kindness, your prayers, and your friendship!
Brenda, I wish you well on this journey- you won’t regret it. Eleven years ago, my mom suffered a series of strokes that left her virtually helpless. While the doctors warned us and urged us not to put in a feeding tube, my Mom made motions with her hands, and my sister put a pen in her hand, while she wrote- flat on her back- “neurologist?” Needless to say, the feeding tube went in and Mom went to three months of Rehab. at a Christian Assisted Living/Nursing Home, about an hour and a half south of my home. My Dad went every day to be with her and between my sister, her four older kids – all drivers, my oldest brother and myself, one of us was there EVERY day at 4 or 5, to allow Pop to leave and go to his home, in daylight. In order to bring her home, my husband (Licensed Plumber) tore out their main bathroom, and made a roll-in shower, a handicapped accessible toilet and sink. My sister’s husband, a Landscape Architect, totally re-did the landscaping of their house to make a ramp/walkway that was pleasing and not obvious at all (Mom kept worrying about that!) My brother came to rip out carpet, and move furniture so that woodfloors could be put throughout the house- easier for a wheelchair. My brother-in-law’s brother generously sent a blacktop paver guy to completely pave their driveway ($20,000??) It was a group effort all the way. For 21 months, we cared for Mom at home, my sister doing the “lion’s share” because she lived only 5 minutes away, and I came on the weekends, when school was in session. During the summer, we reversed, and I did most week days, and Ruth did the weekends. My sister’s oldest four kids each took their turn, taking care of Nana. My oldest brother came every month – or sent his wife- for a Fri-Sat -to give each of my sister and me a ‘break.’ Taking care of Mom meant hard physical work, lifting her and moving her; hard mental work to be focused on what might come next; hard emotionally, as our roles were reversed; and hard spiritual work because I missed a lot of Sundays of church, and fellowship. At one point I was hospitalised with what they thought was appendicitis for three days, and subsequently lost 40 lbs. Without trying.
People came out of the woodwork to write, send cards & e-mails, send food, and some even came alongside to ‘spell’ us and visit Mom. This meant EVERYthing to us. My favourite story was my older friend, Elverta, from my church in Central Jersey who was praying for my Mom, and Elverta shared her request with her sister-in-law in North Jersey. Her sister-in-law says, “Tell me more. This sounds like my friend Betty’s cousin’s wife, Marie, that we HAVE been praying for .” My Mom was Marie. My parents and I sobbed.
All this to say, I have no regrets.
If you need anything, please reach out to me.
Oh, I positively loved reading this, sweet Debbie! Thank you for sharing your story and the beautiful heart of love and the amazing examples of selfless caring that it reflects. Yes, I might indeed message you for advice along the way. Thank you for letting me know on this side of the bridge I’m about to cross that on the other side I will look back with no regrets for having crossed it hand-in-hand with my dear parents. Love you, friend!
Love and prayers to you as you make this needed transition. If you need a friend to talk to, you know how to reach me! Xo
Barb, who would have thought all those years ago in Academy study hall that we would be in our—well, in the decade we’re in—exchanging encouraging words about caring for our parents. You have been a wonderful example of this to me, friend. I think of many times I literally shed tears over your loving words posted about your father while he was still here. I hope I can be half the daughter and caregiver that you demonstrated yourself to be.
Welcome back to Indiana! Thanks for your spirit of humility and love for God and your dear parents. We’ve known you since you were about the age of our oldest grandson, Ian. We’ve always found you busy for our Lord and His people, and now we know you will continue doing the same in this new place where He has planted you. We love you, and hope to be able to see you a little more often. Give our love to your special folks–true Redwoods in God’s forest of believers!
Not now, but in the coming years,
It may be in the better land
We’ll read the meaning of our tears,
And there, some time, we’ll understand.
God know the way He holds the key,
He guides us with unerring hand;
Sometime with tearless eye we’ll see;
Yes there, up there, we’ll understand.
In His love,
Henderson’s
Treasured friend Betty, how I appreciate your words, your prayers, and your friendship these many (many, many!) years. I love y’all bunches, and I so greatly appreciate your thoughtful and, as always, God-focused thoughts! (And my parents will certainly both delight and be humbled by your perfect description of them!)
Brenda – Wishing you the very best as you transition into this new time of life. Transition has been much on my heart as I watch my children quickly grow and realize that in 6 short years I will be done homeschooling (Woohoo!) But I can see as well how our identity must be wholly in Christ in order for us to weather these changes to His glory. My identity is not in being a home school mom… it’s just what I do right now. It’s not in being a pastor’s wife… that’s just the role God gave me at this point in my life. Continue to cling to the cross, and the Lord will be your anchor in this time of change for you! Hugs!
Jennifer, your joy and contentment have been an example to me since I first met you fourteen years ago. Thank you, dear friend for the marvelous reminder to “cling to the cross!” I gladly accept and treasure your hug! (And I return one right back to you!)