The Refuge

I knew moving away from Charleston was going to be tough. I knew I was going to miss our community. I knew Denver would be lonely for a little while. I knew that I had my wife and that we could hold strong to each other until we settled in. I knew God was calling us out here and found assurance, hope and comfort in that calling. But, at the end of the day, it's still really really hard.

When I moved to Charleston, I asked my dad how he dealt with friends who had moved away and physically created distance in their relationship. His response - all we had was long-distance calling and it was expensive, so the relationships just kind of ended. Well, I would rarely call technology a blessing, but being able to feel the love of friends and family from around the country is a whole lot better than that!

It hurts to think about the families that we were a part of in Charleston continuing without us. The kids that we were watching grow up, grow older and wiser without us. The relationships that we saw get started, continue to grow and blossom into families from a distance. It's really really hard.

It's very rare that I'm in a position in life where Psalms speaks to me the way that it does for a lot of other people, but right now... I needed it.


Psalm 27:4-5 says "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock."


It's comforting to read that dwelling with the Lord is an option, and that His dwelling is a safe place. I definitely don't feel like we're in an unsafe place, but it does feel very uncomfortable, and to know that God can be here with us, dwelling with us, loving on us, sheltering us; it's a very comforting feeling. 

So, as I turned into a 30 year old kid today, I celebrated with my wife who tried so hard to make it a fun night even though we're on week 18 of morning sickness (champ), and felt sadness for her and I felt sadness because of the friends and family that are so far away. I'm overly joyful and positive about this transition, but it's very difficult, so now I will dwell in His presence, cause my Daddy is here and this kid needs some loving.