Move
Four years ago I sat out on my small fishing dock overlooking the pond on our peaceful homeplace. But I was anything but peaceful.
MOVE.
That’s the word I heard distinctly inside — not audible, but clear nonetheless.
“Tell Richard that we need to move. He’s the one that won’t budge.”
Stone-faced. That’s the word I said quietly to myself. My fun, gregarious, light-up-the-room husband had become silent. After nearly 15 years of working in a factory, first shiftwork, and then later days in a hot (well over 100 degrees), dusty environment, something had been lost.
And I wanted it back.
Richard never complained. He was faithful to me, to his family, his faith, and to work. He never missed a day. He labored hard. The job paid well–really well–and we were well taken care of. I was thankful for the job, but not for the price I felt it exacted on my husband’s health or personality. People who worked for this factory talk about it, even have a name for it and take it for granted. It’s inevitable, they say, a tradeoff for the benefits and paycheck that arrive every other week.
MOVE.
In my typical impulsive nature, I thought we were supposed to move NOW, so I told Richard. “We are supposed to move, baby.”
“Move where, Suz?”
“I don’t know. Move in a new direction. Move from our house. Move out of this rut we are in. Whatever it is, we are supposed to do it.”
Richard held me tight. “I can’t move until it’s the right time. You know that.”
“But I heard from God.”
“But I haven’t.”
Over the next four years I wondered if I heard wrong. But every time that I prayed, those same words played over in my heart. I watched my husband struggle, silently plodding through work day after day, while at the same time he encouraged me and everyone else as we ran after our dreams. I prayed for him while he slept, many times slipping my arm around him and whispering the words over his tired body.
Then one day he came home. He didn’t say the exact words, but the conversation boiled down to: MOVE.
That day he had felt the release from his job, the intense need for stability and security that was important to him (and to me), but most of all he had heard from God.
A lot has happened in that time. He left his job in a buy-out, which gave us about a six-month cushion to make the transition. TIMING.
He went back to school just as my children all graduated with their undergrad from various universities. TIMING.
We put our house on the market. It took 10 months, but the right person and the right offer came this past weekend. TIMING.
The six-month cushion is long gone, but bills are paid. I am finally in a place where a small, but consistent income comes in from my freelance writing. It’s not a lot, but it’s enough. TIMING.
We found a small, but beautiful home that we can buy with the equity 2.5 miles from the university. PERFECT TIMING.
Over the next 29 days I need to pack up our home of 13 years, find a place for my beloved horse, Annie, travel 3 times to speak, finish three proposals for new books, and move 45 minutes away with all our stuff, and I’m dancing with anticipation!
I thought when I heard the word “move” that it meant that life would change the next day. And it did. For I started this faith journey then. I had to trust that I had heard from God. I had to believe that God had a plan for Richard, and that He would tell him when to take the next step, instead of me pushing him into Phase I of the MOVE plan.
All of that is hard for a girl who likes to leap in faith, and adventure is in her heart. But, you see, that was the leap of faith.
And when the time came, the move has been in harmony. Richard knew it was the right timing (don’t men know that God speaks to us first because we listen better?) and has embraced it.
And I got my husband back. The other day I walked in the kitchen and he was dancing. His face was alive, and he kukarached my way, rolling his hands and pointing one way and then the other (like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever). Years have rolled off of his body and countenance. He loves the university and his intelligent mind has thrived on the atmosphere and the classes. He’s on an advanced track and will graduate with his undergrad in December, and start his masters soon after.
And he will be an amazing counselor to teens and families when it is all said and done.
MOVE!
Anyone want to help pack?
Posted: September 6th, 2007 under Faith, Family, Fun.
Comments: 13
Comments
Comment from Dianne
Time: September 7, 2007, 4:16 am
Wow, this gives me chills. Needed to read this today. Reading about your husband going back to school and seeing him truly be alive again gives me hope in many ways, among them for my husband who’s been in school for several years now. My journey is different than yours but the elements you mention are the same: moving and waiting on God’s timing. Thanks for sharing - very cool!
Comment from Suzie
Time: September 7, 2007, 4:34 am
Hey Susan, I will pray with you today, okay? That God will give you peace and joy as you wait. There is a verse that says that we become “pregnant” with waiting — anticipating what is to come. Today I anticipate with you what God has for you and yours.
Diane, What is your husband studying?
Comment from Keri
Time: September 7, 2007, 7:36 am
Suz,
great post. I love that you spoke out loud what God had told you, but also trusted God to speak to your husband as well. I know I get tempted to go to either extreme–insisting on what I think is right (my own way) on one hand, or refusing to say anything out of fear on the other. You spoke the truth in love by telling Richard what God had said to you, but waiting for God’s perfect timing. Great story. I wish I lived near you I would adopt Annie!
may you feel the nearness of God as you move forward!
Comment from Suzie
Time: September 7, 2007, 7:43 am
Annie, Apache Moon, and Grace (our horses) will go to Richard’s dad’s farm, which is kind of cool. We’ll make a point of riding them once or twice a month, and also get to visit his parents, who live only 50 minutes from our new home. Win-win. But I will miss seeing them daily, and watching them run and play while I write.
Comment from Susan
Time: September 7, 2007, 3:43 pm
Thanks Suz. Much appreciated.
Comment from Dianne
Time: September 7, 2007, 7:24 pm
I give you a lot of credit for being so sensitive to and encouraging your husband’s dreams.
My husband is studying computers in hopes of making a career change. Last year he took a co-op position with a major steel mfg. - a big leap of faith since it offers no benefits and is not permanent. Looks like it’s going to end in December so we are praying it becomes full time (it’s a job he actually enjoys). Kind of scary wondering if he could be unemployed in a few months and searching for a job in a new field is kind of overwhelming for him. Sometimes I feel like I’m the one listening to God for both of us - just where we are right now. Anyways, great story - thanks for sharing!
Sorry I can’t offer to help you pack but if you need a few tips from having moved like 10 times in about as many years, let me know!
Comment from Jan Parrish
Time: September 7, 2007, 10:10 pm
Great post and a very good reminder. When God gives us a word, we need to wait on Him for timing. Ours is usually way before His!
Comment from Karen Power
Time: September 8, 2007, 5:57 am
Thanks Suzi! I have heard the word “move.” Now I’m waiting for the where and when. Thankfully I have people around me who are supportive as I wait. I’ve been here before and moving when it’s God led, not me led, is amazing to watch unfold.
TIMING is everything!
Comment from Suzanne Eller
Time: September 8, 2007, 9:45 am
Yes, I need tips on moving! Share away!
Comment from Dotsie Bregel
Time: September 9, 2007, 4:24 am
What a touching post. It reminds me of how important it is to pray for our spouses. Has anyone read the book, What Can Happen When We Pray for Our Families? I think that’s the title. I recommend it.
I appreciate your mention of timing and your persistance with your request. Looking back, I’ve had several prayers answered after years of prayer. I needed that reminder today because I have several others that still haven’t been answered. It’s sweet to think that maybe one day soon, I will see God’s answer.
Comment from Dianne
Time: September 9, 2007, 1:24 pm
Two quick tips:
1. Pack no heavier than you can move yourself. Your back will thank you when you’re left alone to set up your new house. For me this means stationing the box on the floor and carrying things to the box, rather than packing the box on the bed or table and then having to move the box.
2. Label, label, label with a bold marker as you go - on top and at least one side of the box. If it’s fragile - mark that in red! If you know what room those boxes should go in your new place - mark that on the box. Makes Moving In Day so much easier!
Comment from Suzie
Time: September 9, 2007, 2:08 pm
Thanks, Diane. : ) The good news is that I already have several volunteers who will help us move on moving day. The bad news is that I am the lone packer. Richard has class Monday through Saturday with a special session these next two weeks. But that brings us back to good news — I’ll know where to find things when it’s time to unpack. : ) Great tips! Thanks so much.
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Comment from Susan
Time: September 7, 2007, 12:37 am
Oh Suz, I needed to hear that. I can’t say specifically, but I was wondering if I heard God right. Maybe I did and I need to just wait… TIMING. God’s timing, not mine. Thank you.