Day 7

We only have one week left and I would like to say that Melissa and I are as solid as a rock in our faith and emotions and that we have no doubts—but I can’t. It is a difficult process when you decide to trust the Lord with your life. Thinking to our past, I know that we have been in many positions where we had to trust the Lord. Why is it that it is so difficult to trust Him--especially when He has been so faithful in our lives up to this point?

The blog for today will hopefully give you an honest look into the hearts and questions of two people who are trying to be where the Lord wants them. We know that He wants us to move and that our time in Virginia is coming to a close. It is the writing on the next page of our story that seems to be difficult to grasp or comprehend.

Here is what we know!

1. We value our family and want to either be close to them or have the ability to see them more regularly.

2. It is important to us that Melissa does not work so much and can be home to keep all of our lives in order.

3. We both feel that senior pastoring a church may be that next step…. (Only God knows!)

4. We want the kids to be in good schools. Adam is going into Sr. High and Noah is going into Jr. High. We would love for them to be able to stay at the same schools as to allow them to develop friends and get prepared for college.

5. We have enjoyed learning how to slow down and be a family and do not want to lose this new lifestyle of having time to enjoy each other and grow together.

Here is what we feel! (These emotions may seem contradictory, but in all truth, our emotions change moment by moment and day by day.)

1. We are excited to see what doors the Lord will open

2. We feel frustrated that we have not heard anything with true clarity

3. We are nervous that we are going to make a wrong decision

4. We are experiencing a sense of freedom as we seek the Lord daily and trust in His guidance. I do not remember a time in our married lives where Melissa and I have sought the Lord as diligently as we have during this season of our lives.

5. We feel thankful for all the blessings that are sitting right in front of us (each other, wonderful kids, great friends, jobs, a good church)

6. We are hoping and praying that God will take all the details that we care about and place us exactly where He sees fit.

I am not sure if this type of writing actually helps you as the reader or if it is just therapeutic for my mind and soul. However, when I started writing every day, I felt that the Lord wanted to use our experiences for this 19-day countdown to encourage others by displaying the raw, at times emotional, faith that we are attempting to walk in. If you are reading this and you have come to the conclusion that Melissa and I are human and at times seem lost in our faith or what I like to call “spiritually schizophrenic”—you have evaluated us correctly. I have never been so aware of how broken my trust in God is as I am today. As much as this should make me sad and question my own sanity, I find that the more I realize that I am broken and need God, the more He is willing to bring comfort.


Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.


This is the scripture that I choose to focus on today. I long for the peace of God to cut through my anxiousness and doubts and focus my mind on what is excellent and praiseworthy. I pray for you today, my friend, that the God of peace will truly guide you and comfort you.

God Bless