Miles Between - But Hearts Knit Together

At this time last year, never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined Kathy moving away 600+ miles to pursue a vision God had been building in her heart over the last several years.  In fact, it was July a year ago that God suddenly put a halt to her plans to move to Charlotte, North Carolina.  Those were dark and disappointing days for all of us as we wondered what God was doing and where he was leading, but we urged one another to continue to trust in God's sovereignty and rest in his promises.

And now 12 months later, we return home from moving Kathy and her belongings to a city representing God's incredible provision and opening opportunities for further growth and new relationships.

Jackson, Mississippi.   We didn't know in June when she left home to take the summer Hebrew class at the Reformed Theological Seminary that God would provide for her to stay there permanently.  It happened so quickly and quite amazingly.  There's no word to describe it but bittersweet.

This last week together setting up her apartment and meeting new friends holds precious memories.  And now as we transition to living our lives with one of us hundreds of miles away, the distance is only proving to knit our hearts closer together.

I will be honest - this separation is extremely painful, and I know the next several weeks in particular will hold many days of tears.  But we are confident this is where God wants Kathy for today, and the will of God doesn't mean life will be easy.  To pursue the Kingdom means sacrifice, but the investment brings eternal reward.

So yes, many miles - hundreds of miles - between us.  But the distance has been put there by God's gracious provision, and our hearts continue to be knit together by a unique cord of love.  Thank God with us for what he has done in Kathy's life and pray for an extra measure of grace as we adjust to these changes.

I thank the Lord for the family he has given me, and I appreciate the various interests and calls he has put on our lives.  As he continues to lead us down the paths he has ordained for us, I'll always treasure these relationships and pursue them - no matter the cost and no matter where they may lead.