Grow Where You're Planted

Moving to Strasburg has been hard...

There I admit it. 

It's rather like moving to a new state and starting the LONG process of making friends.

Creating relationships and history and comfort with brand new people.

It's hard because I seem to be in this weird age zone...the people who have kids the age of the older boys are often at least several years older than Glenn (who is ~5 years older than me) and the people with kids the other boys' age are either older or younger...and I just feel like I'm the awkward newcomer that just doesn't "fit" anywhere...

It's hard being at least 45 minutes away from all of the people who I have invested in and who have invested in me these past years.  Its a huge effort to make time (ya know with all the free time I have!) to spend time with these friends and it doesn't happen as often as I wish - but those times are like a gentle spring rain to my dry and lonely soul.  

It's hard being so far from my support system as a new wife and mom.

It's hard realizing that just "suck it up cupcake" isn't working and my discontentment makes it hard on my husband who wants so desperately to right all my wrongs and make my life as wonderful as he can.

"Happiness does not come from doing easy work,

but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes

after the achievement of a difficult task that

demanded out best."

~Theodore Isaac Rubin

I've been chatting a lot with God about how I need friends.  

Real friends.

In Strasburg.

People who I can call when I'm at the end of me and just escape for a few minutes for a cup of tea and a chat.

People I can sit with at the basketball games...the football games.

People who I can start sharing a common history with.

Time is a HUGE factor in all of this though.  

Common history comes through time investments.

I barely have enough time to squeeze in some sleep with work/family/etc HOW can I fit in creating community...and even when I have time WHERE can I find the energy??

I have been taking steps to try and optimize my time, so that I can get what needs to be done done and still have time left over.  

Things like crock pot freezer meals.

We also made the hard decision to switch churches to one in the community.

Killing two birds with one stone.

Saving time AND serving and fellowshipping in our community.

Off to Church!

We've been going to a small community church.  

The preaching is good.

But it's rather like stepping back in time to when I was in elementary school.

I've had a number of quiet chuckles when the music leader introduces a "new" song...one that I haven't sung since the late '80s or early '90s!

I was REALLY hoping that the church God called us to be a part of would provide the relationships I've been craving.  

That it would be a place to make friends.

The problem at the moment though, is that most of the people we've been getting to know are older.

It reminds me of my first memories of church...sitting in a pew next to a wonderful white haired grandma-type, going through all of the mysterious treasures in her purse (there was always a piece of double mint gum waiting for me at the bottom of the purse!).

This is NOT what I asked for God!

Well...maybe it is covering some of the things...

I now have people to sit with at games.

People who say hello at games.

People who inquire how Ben is feeling since they know he and I missed Church because he was under the weather.

BUT

Maybe I should have been more specific!

I'd like friends who are MY age.  

Glenn has been involved with the start-up of a men's Bible study at church.

He was telling me about the planning meeting they had.

One of the guys made a comment about 

"growing where you're planted."

Glenn was chatting about what that meant for him and being a part of this new group of guys.

It got me thinking about me.

If I had to pick my garden, 

I would be growing in the comfort of familiar surroundings with my familiar friends and support system close around me.

BUT

That's not the garden God has me in.

SO

Grow where you're planted

How do I grow where I'm planted?

Maybe I need to stop focusing on what I'm missing, and start thinking about the adventure at hand.

Maybe I need to stop wishing for what isn't and start appreciating and cultivating what is.

Maybe I need to stop worrying about things I can't change and start being excited to see what God has planned for this season's garden.

What things can I learn?

The soil may seem dry in friends...but closer inspection reveals the potential for soil rich in wisdom and life experience.

What ways can I be a blessing?  IF I grow where I'm planted.

Whether you're in a comfortable, familiar garden at the moment or an uncomfortable, unfamiliar garden...how are you growing in this season?

Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God.

They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.  

Instead, they should teach others what is good.

These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children,

to live wisely and be pure, to care for their homes, to do good,

and to be submissive to their husbands. 

Titus 2:3-5

Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young.

Be an example to all believes in what you say, in the way you live, 

in your love, your faith, and your purity.

I Timothy 4:12