Where He leads Me...

This life can take us many places including places very far from the place we call home. I remember the first time we left our home state and moved to the other side of the country. Although it was a move we chose, I never understood how difficult it would be for me until I was there for a while. I loved all of the new experiences especially the first snowfall. I loved meeting the new people in my neighborhood and the school that we selected for our children. I loved the day trips to the Shaker Village, Plimouth Plantation, and Sturbridge Village, all living history museums. But the move was difficult for me because I was a homebody and a creature of habit. I liked knowing my way around and I didn't like getting lost. My first experience driving in the snow was skiddish! I mean I literally went skidding around the road nearly plowing into the side of a car turning left across my path when I wasn't left enough time to come to a full and complete stop in the snow. Thankfully, they made it past and I was able to stop. After that we put an antique iron drill press (I think it was a family heirloom) in the back of the station wagon to prevent fishtailing... And then we had studded snow tires put on.

It was when my neighbor across the street was praising me for finally becoming acclimated to New England that I suddenly realized how hard this had been on me and that I had finally moved on. I asked her what had clued her in to me being used to my new home. What she said surprised me.

"Oh, you don't talk about California very much any more. For months it was, 'In California, we do it this way...' or 'In California, the people are like this...'". She said I talked constantly about California! The odd thing is, I didn't even realize I was doing it! I must have been completely obnoxious...

Within four years, we had to move again, this time not by choice. I was devastated. I had grown to love New England and the people and the weather and the history. I did not want to leave. We put our house on the market, packed up a few bags, and moved to Southern California.

In November, we came back to pack up the house and say good bye to our neighbors and friends. I walked from room to room crying. We had so many happy memories within those walls and some very formative years in the lives of my children had taken place there. And me? I had grown tremendously. I had learned to trust God more, and I had learned to serve Him and His children. I think we depended on Him more because we had to. We didn't have any family or even friends to begin with. We had to rely on the Lord and we found Him completely reliable. We had learned to trust Him for everything.

In less than two years, we were moving again, from Southern California back to Northern California. I thought I had survived those two years quite well although it never felt like home. When the news came that we'd be heading north, I was confused and tired. I think that it was even harder for me than moving back to California because the time frame had been so short and I didn't want to return to the area where I grew up. This is when the song, "Where He leads Me" by Twila Paris became so important to me.

Where He Leads Me

There's a great, broad road * Through the meadow * And many travel there * But I have a gentle shepherd * I would follow anywhere * Up a narrow path * Through the mountains * To the valley far below * To be ever in His presence * Where He leads me I will go * Where He leads me I will go * * And there are many wondrous voices * Day and night they fill the air * But there is one so small and quiet * I would know it anywhere * In the city or in the wilderness * There's a ringing crystal clear * And to be ever close beside Him * When He calls me I will hear * When He calls me I will hear * * There is a great, broad road to nowhere * And so many travel there * But I have a gentle shepherd * I would follow anywhere * Though the journey take me far away * From the place I call my home * To be ever in His presence * Where He leads me I will go * Where He leads me I will go * Where He leads me I will go...

I realized then that as long as I was in His presence, my physical location didn't matter. I knew that when He calls me I will hear and where He leads me I will go...

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23 (KJV)

Dear Lord, Where You lead me, I will follow. When You call me, I will hear.