One thing I’ve learned after moving 20 times

Well, we’re moved in – and almost unpacked, Praise the Lord! In addition to the usual moving challenges, we had one child end up with Lyme Disease and a surprise severe thunderstorm which left us without power/phone/water for 48 hours. Never a dull moment! 🙂

As our household embarked on this particular move – our 1^st move in almost 5 years, and the 20^th move I’ve made in my life so far – I’ve observed some delightful differences between this move and those of the past. In reflecting on the multiplicity of family interactions and personal priorities I’ve witnessed and engaged in during the many “moving seasons” of my life both as a child and as a mother, I’ve come once again to this unchanging conclusion:

God’s Word is true, always.

God’s Word is practical. The truths He has given us affect the entirety of our lives, from our little daily interactions to life-changing decisions. You can actually see illustrations and truths from Scripture come to life before your eyes, if you’ll take the time to look. Knowing the Truth of God’s Word can help you to prevent sin, strained relationships, and foolish behavior.

God’s Word doesn’t take time off for lapses in our routine. The reap-what-you-sow consequences are the same, the commandments are still required of us, and the promises are still sweetly true.

I could list pages upon pages of examples and still not record them all, but here are just a few for us to consider:

If we want to bear the fruit of patience, kindness, gentleness, etc…then we must sow to the Sprit and abide in Christ — even if we’re in the middle of moving — for when we abide not and sow to the flesh, the fruit we bear cannot be other than wrath, strife, heresies, uncleanness, and immorality ~

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:7-9)

Whether in a routine or not, we’re obligated to continually maintain the training of our children. Plugging them in to electronics perpetually or  ignoring their behavior as long as they “leave Mom alone” are not Biblical options ~

Withhold not correction from the child (Proverbs 23:13a)

Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. (Proverbs 29:17)

As tiring as moving is, we must be diligent so as not to be wasteful ~

He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. (Proverbs 18:9)

As we sort through our earthly belongings, we must hold them loosely. They fly away, and while they are useful tools here this is not really our home and we won’t be taking even the most sentimental belongings with us. None of it will matter on judgment day. Arguing or agonizing about keeping *stuff* is a shameful waste of time ~

Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. (Proverbs 11:4)

Life changes can be discouraging and uncertain at times, and we can be tempted to seek comfort in any number of earthly things — we must remember that our hope is in God and He is THE God of Comfort ~

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. (Psalms 43:5)

I’ve brought this one up with the children multiple times in recent weeks, when one is grumpy and begins to initiate fights just because he feels like it (don’t we all feel like that from time to time?) ~

Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. (Proverbs 3:30)

How about these two commandments? Even with packing and extra bills and phone calls and heavy lifting and lack of sleep and lack of time, are we striving to love God as we should? Are we striving to glorify Him in all we say and do? Are we loving our neighbors…including those of our own household? ~

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40)

Yes, God’s Word is true, regardless of our circumstances. There’s no getting around it, and as His children there’s much reason to delightfully embrace it. Oh, how much more smoothly does life on this earth go when we submit to His Word and abide in Him!!