Moving On | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Moving On | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lois Farrow
10/09/14
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Growing up, it seemed we were always in transit, either moving on to the next place or waiting for the next move.

I guess my first relocation was when I arrived in this world and when I was one month old my family moved as we needed a bigger house now there were three children.

From then on our life was one of regular moving. My father’s job in the Post Office took him the length and breadth of our small country, and even for a three year posting to an island location, Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands. I was eleven when we moved there and fourteen when we came back. We had to leave most of our toys behind when we moved to the island including my favourite walkie-talkie doll. Our pets too, could seldom go with us, but it didn’t take us long to get more.

Our life was one of changing schools, new churches and new friends, farewells and fresh starts, expanding horizons. Church conferences kept us in touch with friends throughout the country so we didn’t lose our former friends. The people make the place, goes the saying, and we found that to be true, quickly making new friends in each new location.

We lived in State houses for many years with my parents having all the work and stress of the shift. When my father climbed the ladder far enough we were provided with a Post Office house, the moves were managed by the Post Office movers and we had the rare luxury of motel accommodation while in transit. Family holidays were sometimes spent viewing likely future postings, which seldom came to be.

Dad’s philosophy was to apply for every position in his next grade, and leave the outcome to the Lord. ‘The lot is cast into the bag,’ he quoted from Proverbs 16:33, ‘but the outcome is of the Lord.’ It was an attitude that served us well. We certainly saw God’s hand in each of our locations.

When my father died unexpectedly my mother and I were given six weeks to be out of the house. My brothers and sister had by then left home. We moved north and found a rented house with my older brother. My mother lived the 39 years of her widowhood in that and one other rented house until she spent her final year in a rest home. She never owned property or material possessions, yet she was always provided for and content.

When I was married we lived fourteen years in our first house and at times I became restless or ready for a move. We had no need to, however, until we changed city for my husband’s work. Now we have been here almost 29 years, my longest time in one place.

Our houses have seen the cycles of life, children born, growing up and moving on, grandparents and parents moving on to their heavenly home. Our homes were always warm places of hospitality with many new friends made. Home is where the family is, no matter what type of house or what location.

We are retired now and enjoying this season of our lives. When my children were young I would often say ‘I like this stage’ and I still say it. God is good, and I am grateful for his love and guidance through all our moves and changes.

My final move will be to my heavenly home and I am looking forward to it. My earthly possessions will be left behind and I won’t care. I will be at home with my family from every tribe and nation. No more farewells or sorrow, no more relocation or disruption. I look forward to my horizons being expanded way more than I can imagine. I look forward to my heavenly Father saying – welcome home.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.