tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14868275.post6139820694221954671..comments2023-05-16T02:54:58.920-07:00Comments on Losing That Which I Cannot Keep: Outside of the BoxErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02785435035760924844noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14868275.post-43488165679813787432010-03-08T10:01:59.221-08:002010-03-08T10:01:59.221-08:00With you Erin.With you Erin.The Wandering Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05755625624165596812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14868275.post-32833445812184019032010-03-02T05:31:34.057-08:002010-03-02T05:31:34.057-08:00not sure if this will muddy your waters or not :) ...not sure if this will muddy your waters or not :) but a few things that struck me as I read your post. <br />1. The part about taking your gifting into "your next life" (a.k.a. Kona, the nations): who's to say that gifting won't be necessary there? Just 'cuz you'd be a "tent maker" by day, doesn't mean you can't be a teacher/counselor by night. Although Paul was known for his ministry, that wasn't ALL he did.<br />2. Relationships: the "church" isn't a building, just like a friendship isn't a weekly coffee date. Yes, your friendships will look different if/when you're out on the mission field, but different is ok. I'm sure there's LOTS of people who have learned the art of making/cultivating relationships when moving around is part of life.<br />Why would you be "giving up" the dream of being a wife & mother just because you're not in Tacoma? If your heart is for the nations, wouldn't you want to meet a man who's also got the same passions? Kinda like couples who meet in the military, except you wouldn't have to be deployed separately :) Does getting married and having children require being "settled" in one place? Sure it's easier, but do you want easy or divine? Or is it that it won't look like what you've envisioned? Hard to have a typical US wedding when your closest friends are scattered around the world! Your kids won't have the same upbringing you did. Instead of little league, they may play cricket! :)<br />I guess all this to say I'm proud of you for making your list. But definitely pray about the weight of each of those items and what it is they mean to you. Then do as Tiffani suggested and pray/fast about each one. Asking the Lord if that item really does carry the weight you FEEL it does. Maybe His timing is different (maybe, is it ever? ha ha) and He's massaging your heart now for a future decision He needs to you make. He may reveal to you that you should stay here for a season but when it's time to GO, you'll be so aware and prepared because of what He's doing in your now.<br /><br />Again, sorry to have muddied the waters! Just thought I'd stir your thoughts a bit. :)<br />Love you and so proud of how you're pushing into this. It's not easy. But nothing in life worth doing ever is!The Balcom Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13344256291271215758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14868275.post-48168425216692330832010-03-01T11:54:34.258-08:002010-03-01T11:54:34.258-08:00I remember when I was wrestling with leaving every...I remember when I was wrestling with leaving everything and going to Illinois. My list looked a lot like yours. I also had to give up a lot of the things I had become used to (my condo, most of my income, my friend community, etc) and it was like pulling off fingernails.<br /><br /> I have two things that may help:<br /><br />1) I had a book called "Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough: A Guide to Nine Biblical Fasts" that had one fast in it for decision making. Because of it, I did a 3-day fast using the techniques suggested in the book and felt like I was able to hear the Lord much more clearly regarding my concerns and issues. In fact, after the fast was over, I felt like I had answers from scripture for each of my issues/concerns/fears, and that although nothing had changed (God did not "solve" any of the issues, but did give me truth about them) I felt confirmed to go.<br /><br />2) While its true that you may be giving up the things on your list - you don't know that its true - or any truer than staying in Seattle would be. For example, I was technically giving up my gift of teaching and discipleship to go work as Scotty's administrative assistant and I felt the same way "But what about my other gifts?!?!" ..... but the Lord ended up providing lots of opportunities for me to work with students doing mentoring and discipleship and even teaching opportunities. Conversely, I also said, "Lord, if I go there, then it likely means that I am putting off getting married and having kids....." and the Lord said, "yes, that may be true - but reminded me that whatever we sacrifice for him on earth will be repaid 100-fold in heaven." and has continued to remind me of that with each subsequent move because that is the one protest that has persisted in each move around the US. <br /><br />On the other hand, at the time that the offer came, the Lord had already prepared my heart to start something new, to take a new direction - I was feeling restless and as though I needed to be working with college students somehow. Like how you have a heart for the nations. We need to listen to the voice of our calling and walk in it, I think, even when the path looks as though its headed straight way from the goal the Lord pointed out to us (think of Much Afraid in the desert). <br /><br />Love you. Praying as you tackle these decisions! TiffTiffani Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08074093500122376002noreply@blogger.com