Challenge: Don’t Move Away!

Just before noon on Saturday, our son and his family pulled out of the driveway of their home in Illinois for the last time. They’re moving to Georgia, a new house, and a new set of friends, a new church and new schools. They’re moving away.

We hugged them, we watched them pull away, and we drove home in silence. When I walked in the front door, I heard the quiet of no boys running and playing, and everywhere I looked I saw reminders that they are no longer here…

The sippy cup in the fridge:

The ninja turtle on the console in the living room:

The digger on the coffee table in the family room:

Their toothbrushes in the bathroom:

And the GI Joe weapon on the table in the foyer:

My heart is breaking as I think how long it will be before my grandsons come bursting through the door crying out, “Hey! Yaya! Where are you?”

“I’m right here!” Right where you left me!

I wonder if this is how God feels when we wrap up all of our Christian activities in May. Does God watch as we drive away after our final Bible study, or our regular church year winds down? Does He listen for the sound of our voices and hears only quiet? Does He look around and everything He sees reminds Him that we have left Him?

Does God wonder how long it will be before He hears you cry out, “God, where are you?” Does He long to say, “I’m right here!”

The reality is, as much as it hurts to see them move away, I know where they are going and when their moving truck pulls up on Monday morning, Brian and I will be there to help them unpack.

And, the reality of God is that as much as we move away from Him, He knows where we are going, and He is always there to help in our time of need.

I will have to say “Good-bye” to this sweet family next week and come home again. God never says “Good-bye”. He is always there, always waiting to help, and always helping even when we don’t realize it.

“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry…” – Psalm 34:15 NIV

My challenge to you this summer: If you haven’t moved away, if you’re staying connected, my challenge to you is: Don’t move away! However, if you have moved away from God, if you’ve put your Bible on the shelf, if you’re missing your quiet time with Him, if you’ve neglected fellowship with other Christians – Move back home! You can come home, God is right where you left Him, and He’s waiting for you.

“‘Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart…’ Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…” Joel 2:12-13 NIV

My boys and their families may never move back to Illinois, so Brian and I have decided to move also… details on that will come later. But for now, whenever I pray I come into the presence of God. When they pray, they come into the presence of God. If we are all in the presence of God, we can’t be that far apart.

… and let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…