From Despair to Joy: An Unexpected Journey (Part One)

Driving home recently through an unfamiliar area, I realized my GPS could not pick up a signal. Knowing I was headed in the correct direction, I searched for something recognizable.  There should be a turn coming. But where?  I sure missed that familiar voice telling me, “In four miles, turn right.”

I don’t know about you, but I like those little nudges.

It reminded me of a time when God whispered in my spirit that a change was coming. My journal entries from that season attest to the promptings of God, through prayer and Bible reading, which led me to understand about an upcoming “turn in the road.” This doesn’t happen often, mind you, but when it does, I know it’s time to prepare, at least mentally, for an “alternate route.”

Driving along without my GPS, I laughed at the fact that I no longer keep a M-A-P in my car. I’ve become so reliant on verbal directions, that the paper alternative seemed a waste, until now. I drove on hoping I’d soon hear some directions coming from my phone.

Yes, I do love my GPS, except when it suggests a sudden change, like an unexpected route that I didn’t see coming. “In 400 feet, turn right.” When that happens, I’ll argue with it. Are you SURE I turn here? I’ve never taken that way before! Seriously, it’s when I trust it the least.

Like three years ago.

Recalculating

My husband was summoned to lead a church 1,000 miles away in a new state in totally unfamiliar territory. No nudges this time, just “Turn here!”  I felt blindsided. In my quiet time with God, I begged for some assurance. I searched the Bible for direction. Again and again, my answers were: Wait on me. Trust in me. Follow me.

This move meant a total career shift. It involved saying good-bye to family and friends. This sudden course-change required me to trust in ways I couldn’t wrap my head around, because, even though it led to living near the beach, it felt more like a desert.

I’ve joked that the first few months here robbed me of my memory. Well, it’s kind of true. It all happened so fast; I don’t really remember the first people we met or some of the welcome gifts I received.

I DO remember tears on my pillow before we left Wisconsin and after we arrived in Florida.

God! Are you SURE we didn’t make a wrong turn somewhere?

Then COVID hit. It was so incredibly hard on all of us, right?

But…

The lockdown opened opportunities for me to learn. I began attending webinars and online conferences. I started writing more.

We all leaned hard into caring for our minds, bodies, and spirits.

I began to look back less at the things and people I missed and instead looked more intently at the beauty of the place where God had led us. Let’s face it, occasional visits to the beach are soothing to the soul, even if you’re homesick. Especially if you’re homesick.

I am beginning to appreciate a few lessons I learned on this journey that began three years ago.

The remaining paragraphs contain two of the four lessons I’d like to share with you. The others will be shared in part two.

If the Right Turn is from God, it’s the RIGHT Turn

Remember the early forms of GPS and how easily they could lead you astray? Not so with God. If God’s behind the sudden change of direction, you can trust Him. Yet, it is important to be sure you’re hearing God’s instructions correctly, so we consult the Bible for confirmation.

Not unlike checking a M-A-P to confirm Siri’s suggestions, we pour over God’s word to discern His leading, especially when it’s a drastic course adjustment. We make note of it in our journals. In our case, God DID indeed confirm our decision, which is especially helpful with the new roads get rough and bumpy.

Not unlike a bumpy road we once traveled in the mountains of Colorado. With a guide driving, we traversed a one lane “road” with drops to the side which took your breath away. As we bumped along, our guide pointed out cliffs that claimed lives in the past while I held on for dear life trying to convince myself we’d make it out alive. The driver knows this road. He’s been up here a thousand times. Walking back isn’t an option!  I had to hang on and trust.

Now as we navigate bumpy roads of a different kind, I know I can trust our Guide. He knows where we’ve been, where we are, and He knows EXACTLY where we are going, scary cliffs and all.

He STILL has Plans for ME

I must admit my struggle did not only involve the change of location, but also the change of season I was experiencing, and I’m not referring to moving from the land of eternal winter to the land of eternal summer. I’m talking about my empty nest. Up north the extra room in the nest felt okay. I was busy working while my last chicks flew off to college. Surrounded by family and friends, I found plenty to distract. The forest was familiar.

Now my nest is entirely different. It’s in a new tree. In a new forest. It’s not the nest the chicks grew up in. Would they find their way here? Would they visit? For so long His plans for me included motherhood. So how do I transition from wife/mom to wife again in an entirely foreign place?

Long ago during another time of change and uncertainty, God spoke to my heart. I was a wandering teenager, trying to find my way in a new town and in new schools. After our dad passed away, my mom and I moved with my sisters to another state. In school we were required to memorize two passages of scripture a week. Jeremiah 29:11 was one of them. I can still see my scratchy handwriting on a 3X5 card with that precious verse.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

 

But this latest change of direction caused me to seriously doubt God. What now? I saw no definite road ahead. Not only that, I also felt like I was leaving loose ends behind, that my work and life in Wisconsin was unfinished. Then God whispered another treasured verse:

“He who began a good work in you will be able to carry it on to completion.” – Philippians 1:6

Oh, yeah. It’s HIS work after all.

And the kids? Well, they’re just fine. Flying in when they can and living their lives, making their own nests.

Since our move, I still don’t see a clear path before me. But I’m getting involved in my church, I’ve been learning and writing, subbing and tutoring, and constantly joking about “what I want to be when I grow up.” But this I know: He DOES have a plan. “For I continue to have plans for you….” (Gretchen version.) Yes, he HAD plans for me. And He still does.

It just looks quite different than I pictured—an unexpected journey.

YOUR TURN

Thanks for reading my story today. Next time I will address two more lessons from this surprise adventure. In the meantime, I wonder…When has God guided you in an unexpected direction? What did you take away from that experience? Please share in the comments.

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Gretchen Huesmann

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