What about Julie???

In the midst of all that is happening, there is a strong dichotomy emerging in our home. Julie and I are both so very excited about the recent developments and what the future holds as we move to St. Louis. The recent activity in our lives and specifically the movement of God on our behalf to clear the path before us is very encouraging and invigorating. Yet with this comes many unknowns and a compressed time table for stuff to happen...and this is where Julie and I head on divergent paths. As a result of the quick sale of our home, the closing date is now set for April 24th. It just so happens that the baby is due April 21st. Additionally, organizing and scheduling movers while trying to minimize costs, hoping the baby doesn't come late, dismantling our home, which Julie has always found refuge in after the birth of our previous four children, all increase the intensity of the 6-8 weeks ahead. For me, this is an adventure and totally energizes me as I look forward to the unknown, what God will do, and how He will provide and show Himself faithful in the month ahead. Then there is Julie...



Julie is just as excited and hopeful about the leading of God, however under normal conditions she really enjoys stability and familiarity. She is not much of a risk taker or a thrill seeker. Rather, she is stable, organized, establishes flexible but solid routines in her day and functions wonderfully within them. Since Jonathan, our second child was born, Julie has enjoyed the hospital stay to connect with each child, escape the craziness of the home, especially as that has increased with each additional child. Then when she does leave the hospital, she likes to come home, get a routine with the new baby and settle in for a little while like any mother to a newborn child.

This time things are different. She may have the hospital time but she does not have a home to return to to "settle in". The baby is due the 20th, we close on the 24th and need to vacate by April 30th. Once vacated, we will drive to St. Louis, and move into a temporary rental home we will probably not have seen prior to arriving. After a couple months we will hopefully have found a permanent place and move all over again. Julie has expressed this desire for security and a refuge with the baby coming, but realizes there will be none. God has opened the door to move us quickly after waiting for over two years. In the process He is removing our earthly security and the previous stability of "our home".

It is not ideal, and I feel her anxiety as an expecting mother, but I also see God challenging her more with this baby than with the previous ones. I am praying for her a ton as she will definitely feel the brunt of our move and this transition. If those of you who read this could pray for her we would really appreciate that. Julie is an amazing wife, mother, homemaker, partner, and friend to me. On one hand, it is hard to see her security removed for the time being and the inner struggle that brings. On the other hand, as her husband and brother in Christ, it is exciting because she has some really cool opportunities to rely on God and grow more deeply in love with Him through the struggles.

This is where our present day "Christian" thinking betrays us. Oh, that we as followers of Jesus would more courageously embrace struggles and challenges we face. Not with a complaining or fatigued attitude, but with a winsomeness and joy that has the fragrance of heaven, even though our life might be falling apart around us at that moment. Julie, more than me, has shown this before when her arm was smashed in a car accident at the beginning of her pregnancy with Caroline. She lived through 7 months of a high-risk, bed rest pregnancy without ever complaining once. It was amazing to witness.

James 1:2-3 tells us to "Consider it PURE JOY whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. And perseverance must finish its work so that you (we) may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

So as we, and specifically Julie, face this next month and the unpredictable, please pray for her, and for me as I support her as SHE walks this narrow road in a manner that she would desire, revealing the grace of God and bringing Him the glory He deserves.