Movin' Mudder

This is a post I wrote this week for another blog I write for, "Faithful Feet".  I wanted to share it here also, so that you all could know what's been going on with me these days.  Check out Faithful Feet when you get a chance, too.  We have several very diverse people from all over the world who wrote for it and post on Monday through Friday each week.

Without further adieu...

Movin' Mudder

Yep! That’s me! I’m a “Movin Mudder”! What!?! You don’t know what that is!?! No way!

No, seriously…as I was awakened by my sleepy 4-year-old son yesterday at 7:00AM, he said “Mommy, is this Mudder’s Day?” “Yes,” I groggily answered. “Well, you need to open your present,” he says. “Can I sleep a little bit longer first and THEN open my present?” “No, Mommy, you have to open it now. It’s Mudder’s Day!” So, of course, I opened the two sweet cards…a Garfield one from him and one from my husband…then, I opened the gift, which was really more of a gift from Dad to me, though my son was clueless and was just elated that I was opening a Mudder’s Day gift from him and Daddy. Then, we proceeded to rest our eyes together just a little longer before it was time to get up and start getting ready for church.

Then, after church and Mudder’s Day lunch (by the way, in case you haven’t figured it out…I’m talking about Mother’s Day…didn’t want to lose you there…) we proceeded to go to our new house together, all three of us, and continue with the unloading of the car into the house so that we can get settled in as soon as possible.

Yes, we are moving…again! I know you probably don’t know me enough to know that when I say “again”, I mean it! In our soon-to-be six years of marriage, we have lived in 5 different houses in 3 different states of the United States. Talk about UNITED…living thousands of miles away from anyone you ever knew and loved other than your spouse and child can most definitely UNITE you! (Oh, and by the way, in case you are wondering, NO, I am not a military wife, though I know it sounds like it. I did NOT sign up for this…but, of course God had other plans!)

Over the course of all of these moves, the last one before this being into my in-laws’ house with them, I have truly often felt like a vagabond, a nomad, even a perpetual house-guest. I have often longed for that one place in which we will finally “settle” and stay and put down roots and all that jazz. I have even felt sorry for myself at times.

Then, not too long ago, I was struck with the realization that, though I am not at all saying I am equal to Jesus, my nomadic life is much like that of Jesus’ life when He was on this earth. He didn’t own an earthly home…He didn’t even rent one! He went from place to place staying with friends and using every minute to either share His message or spend time alone with His Father. He didn’t have a need or desire to establish earthly “roots” or a plush life on this earth. Much to the contrary! The only earthly roots He intended to establish were those of building relationships that led to believing in Him and belonging to His eternal family and in turn becoming more like Him. (That was actually adapted from my previous church’s mission statement.) He didn’t need a soft pillow for His head, though I have found myself being sad that I have not for the past year had my own pillow nor bed to sleep in, since my entire house has been packed up in storage. However, when I look at our situation from a godly perspective, I completely see His hand in it all and am very thankful for our unique life.

He is truly and intently leading me on a mission for Him like no other. Places I would have never thought I would visit in my life, I have lived. People I never knew existed, I have met. Things I never thought I would ever get to do, I have done. All the while, growing more in a realization of my utter need for Him in every area of my life…I could never have made it through these past several years without Him. And, additionally, growing in a way that I have become so much more bold about sharing my faith in Him with others, yet much more in tune to how to do that without shoving it down their throat. I understand people so much more now that I have come to know so many more of them/us. I let Him bring me to people who need a relationship of some kind with me in their life and in turn they get an exposure to Him that they had no clue they would be getting out of the deal! They think they enjoy having me as their friend, but what they are really drawn to is the Jesus in me…and THAT’s what it’s all about!

So, from this tired exhausted nomadic vagabond of a “Movin’ Mudder”, I say go out there and be real today…to whomever you are around and wherever you are…LIKE IT OR NOT! That’s your Great Commission!

Go where He tells you to go, do what He tells you to do, say what He tells you to say…you have His authority…use it!

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)