As Janet and I are packing up our metro Nashville house in preparation for our move from Nashville to Tulsa, we are also preparing emotionally for the next chapter of our life and ministry. Moving evokes in us both grief and joy simultaneously…grief over who and what we are leaving behind, as well as joy over who and what lies before us.
Change is hard
Healthy grief follows the many good-byes we say to our friends, church, ministry in our metro Nashville home. Whenever we love people deeply, leaving them will be hard. Thank God for that pain.
We will also miss the deer that call our backyard home. Whenever we walk out, they walk up. Every. Single. Day. My mentor Tony Weston encouraged me to thank God for the five years we have lived in this paradise instead of grieving the loss of it. It took me a few days (or weeks), but I eventually listened to him.
Change is inevitable
Pastors will enjoy their ministry if they serve their church as if it will be their last one. If you are able, buy your home and allow your roots to set into that church and community. When God calls you to leave, (and He will because every pastor is an interim), Jesus will prepare your heart, as well as your family and members.
Change is a blessing
Either I do not like change as much as I used to, or I don’t like it as much as I thought I did, so I’m writing this post mostly for me. I need to remind myself of how faithful God has been to me. In the midst of this move, I’m also seeing my blessings as opportunities to glorify God and bless others.
The Lord said to Abram: Go out from your land..I will bless you..and you will be a blessing. Genesis 12:1-2
This week, take time to thank God for both your past and future blessings.
Praying for you, Mark, as you leave your beautiful home (and the friendly deer) as well as friends and ministry in Nashville. Thank you for blessing me with this encouraging Thanksgiving message. Looking forward to what this move brings for you and Janet.
Thank you hippy-girl! You are a blessing to Janet and me!
Good thoughts. I think they have deer, water and trees in Tulsa too. At least I hope they do.
Yes, me too! Tulsa has lots of water and trees, and Oklahoma in general has earned a reputation as a deer hunting paradise.
Well said!
Thank you Jason! Press on friend!
Thanks for sharing my friend. As iron sharpens iron…… You will sharpen many in the next leg of your journey just as you have up until now. BB
Thank you Tony. I’m so glad our friendship is still growing after all these years!
Mark, I hope you know that you made a difference in many lives through your LifeWay ministry. I enjoyed working next to you for a part of your/my ministry at LifeWay. The best is still to come!
Thank you so much Ernie! You are a blessing to many people on both sides of the Equator!