Almost There

Well. We are in Franklin, TN tonight at the Ketchum's house (some great folks we met at Sonship). It has been a good but very tiring trip. Especially getting lost in Memphis, doing circles around the road construction. Why does Interstate 40 stop, make a 90 degree turn, loop around Memphis and somehow start again? Either 1) somebody was on too much cold medicine when they created it, 2) some people laughed a big belly laugh when they created it, thinking about how frustrated people would get or 3) (and this is the most likely) I got lost and, being fully male, refused to ask anybody for directions. Yes. This is correct. My wise wife phoned me from the other van, telling me to ask. But I really felt, with every turn and new horizon, that our destination would be like an oasis right in front of us. It wasn't. Not for an hour with a bunch of U turns and blaming my frustrations not on myself, where they belonged, but on city planners, other drivers, my map and, perhaps, just a little bit, on God. This seems to be the general story of my life. There is a place I need to be, a place I am called, and I kinda meander my way generally in that direction. Sometimes making blazing speed, sometimes stopping and getting distracted by shiny little things. Then I miss a turn and find myself (like in Memphis) in a bad neighborhood putting myself, my family, my stuff and destination at risk. I could stop and u turn right away and get back on the right track...but I think..."No, this will get to where I want to go. It is just a different way to do it." Then I get lost. I don't seek help. I try to work things out myself. This whole move to Asheville is not altogether different. I sensed the Lord's leading and directing but couldn't quite make it out. I would kinda just sit on the prodding and not really do anything about it. I would make some wrong turns and get confused and even, don't tell anybody, get mad at God for me not knowing where I am going. But when the path was forked right in front of my face and I didn't know which direction to go, the Lord finally clicked my brain to really seek out some wisdom. To stop and ask for directions. So I did. I spent real quiet time with the Lord. Amy and I did so together as well. My kids then joined us. I drained the brains of the wisest people I know. And the Lord spoke. With clarity! Asheville in now just a few exits away and the confusions and u turns are over (for this particular journey). We are thrilled to be where we are and going where we are going. The move has been draining in every way possible. We loaded and packed all of our stuff and entrusted it to people I had never met before. We are moving 1000 miles away from our nearest relative. We have talked with but don't really KNOW anybody in Asheville. But the Lord is there and he has made a place for us. And in a few days that place will start to, more than ever, really take shape.

Blessing for putting up with these ramblings.
----Brian Land
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