About Me

Van Walton

Fun Facts about Van Walton

My favorite smell: The way the earth smells after it rains.

My favorite sound: The first notes of a grand symphony.

My favorite way to relax: Sitting anywhere outside - on my front porch, on my deck, or by the lake, early in the morning with my first cup of coffee.

My favorite birthday dessert: a Peach cobbler baked by my husband. He’s my fave chef!

I will not eat: Avocado. They turn my stomach into a volcano that never erupts.

Technology I couldn't live without and why: My laptop - it takes me anywhere I want to go.

One thing that makes me smile: My sons' faces!

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My Resources



My book, From the Pound to the Palace, is available for $10
from Proverbs 31 Ministries.


Pound to Palace


My book, Little Halos, is available for $5.99 from Proverbs
31 Ministries.


Little Halos


Proverbs 31 Ministries












Links




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Monday, June 16, 2008

MOVIN' ON AFTER MOVIN' IN MONDAY

Movin' With the Noah Family

I often reflect on the many moves that define my life. Recently I read the story of Noah and, in a strange sort of way, began to compare some of my moves with the incredibly miraculous move made by the Noah family.

You might want to take a few minutes to read the story of how Mr. and Mrs. Noah and family made a move like none other ever recorded in history! Their story begins in Genesis. Read chapters 6 - 9:17

I wonder if Mrs. Noah’s reaction could have been compred to my reacions when my husband announced that moving day was on its way. After his evaluation he had been given a new assignment. The higher ups told him to prepare for a move. I wonder if Mrs. Noah was surprised when she found out that God was evaluating the human race and her husband had been given a new assignment? Who did she blame for the unexpected and unwelcome relocation? Did she encourage Noah to discuss the issues or did she deny that changes were on the way? Did she have to defend Noah’s actions to her extended family and neighbors? Did she run to her mother crying and grumbling? Was she convinced that he was making the right decision or did she doubt his new-found passion? How did she prepare for a move that would change the course of human history forever?

Did Mrs. Noah know that her husband was being offered a promotion? Did she congratulate him for being the most righteous? Did she set her concerns and emotions aside and celebrate her husband's standing with the Lord and within the community? Did she ask to stay behind for awhile until she was ready to move? Did she realize that this move was God's provision--a sea rescue like none other?

I've learned that God's moves in my life came at just the right time. He's taken me out of situations that would have compromised me. He has kept me from having to make uncomfortable choices. He has removed me from unhappny circumstances. Looking back and talking with friends helped me realize, "God's plans are indeed best."

It seems to me that Noah’s wife had no say in this move. What was she doing while her husband was preparing for this massive move? I know how I have reacted as I faced certain relocations. I have supported and discouraged. I have doubted and anticipated. I have led the way and followed. There have been times when I was completely involved in the moving decisions. Other times I had no say. There were no options.

One of the greatest mistakes my husband and I ever made was to consider a move, interview, and accept a new position without ever discussing the future possibilities with our sons. They were stunned, shocked, and saddened when we shared the news with them. They were also hurt. Although we invited them to help find a house and tried to include them in other decisions, it was too late. They had been left out of the most important phase of the move.

When Mrs. Noah knew it was time to pack, did she trust her husband’s judgment? Everyone must have ridiculed him. The questions they asked would have been difficult to answer. “What is this thing your husband is building? What is its purpose? Why is he wasting his time doing this when he should be planting? Your family has become strange, Mrs. Noah. What are you going to do about it? ” Did the neighbors ask her if her husband was crazy. Did his family ask why she was encouraging him?

I have had to answer similar questions. "Why do you move so much. I wouldn't put up with it! Tell him to get a new job. Tell him to say, 'no'!"

I’ll bet Mrs. Noah knew her husband walked with the Lord. She trusted her husband. She came along side him and together the family prepared for the move of the millennium.

Did Noah’s family have any idea what their move was going to be like? Did they realize the disaster they were facing?

I often compare a move to a disaster. The flood waters rise, taking everything away. I panic, knowing I am facing an unknown future. I fear what I cannot control and the dam breaks. Suddenly everything I knew to be stable is gone. I lose my house, my possessions, my neighbors. Depending on the distance of the move, I spend days in a daze. When I “land” nothing is familiar. Praise God I still have a husband and my children are with me.

The last time we moved, our older son didn't join us. He had graduated from high school and chose to stay behind. It seems we lost him in the moving disaster! It was like a death in the family. Our new friends didn’t know him so he was a non-existent entity in our new community. He wasn’t a member in our new church. Now there were three places set at the taable instead of four. It took a long time to adjust after the disaster.

After floating for weeks the Noah family finally landed where God had preordained. The door opened and everyone filed out to begin a new existence. Noah went to work and the family set up housekeeping. I am sure they never forgot their experience. God had picked up this family of eight and changed their lives radically.

My family is a lot like Noah's. We pack. We move. We land. My husband goes to work. I stay behind to get the house in order. After one such move in the spring, I spent a rainy day inside unpacking boxes. After a break for lunch my toddler and I took a long cozy nap. Bright sunshine met us as we yawned and welcomed the afternoon. Looking out the window to admire the long awaited sunshine we noticed a huge rainbow in our front yard. There we stood side by side, mother and son, taking in the miracle of the rainbow.

We had survived the upheaval. Now it was time to step out onto new territory.

Where ever God has brought you, take comfort. He has a plan. He is in the business of moving us, moving us because He doesn't want us to get too comfortable!

Want to be entertained by Noah's story, Cosby, and God? Go to this site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zyc1315KawQ
Prepare to laugh until your belly hurts! Enjoy...

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi my name is Mele and I am from Fiji, which is an island in the South Pacific....does Fiji Water ring a bell ..well my islands is the source of Fiji water. I really enjoyed your blog on moving, which is compared to Noah's move. I guess most of us are not really prapared for the major changes that God puts us through, it takes alot of faith and courage to go through with it. I think thatis one thig that we can keeping asking God for strengh and courage to follow whereever He may lead us ..for it says in Lamentations 3:24 "The Lord is my portion, says my soul
therefore I hope in Him"

Anonymous said...

Hi.

A friend sent me your blog a couple of months ago.

It has been an encouragement to me in what has to be one of the lonliest seasons of my life.
Still no church even after diligent weekly search, no local friends, keeping in touch with old friends is waning..they are busy. I understand. I used to be busy now I'm "on the shelf." Incredible losses this year. I could make a list, but will stop here.
The Lord prepared me before I moved that this would not be a great time. Funny, this "foreknowledge" hasn't eased the pain.

Your insight into the moving struggle has been a blessing for me. I'm living it all...every one of your moving posts has my name all over it. Your gift is meant to be shared as you are doing and I thank you for it.

I'm clinging to truth:

He is faithful.
He is Sovereign.
He is my only hope and future.
I'm not my own, but for His purpose.
I'm not in my final home.
Rebuking the enemy.
Laying down the flesh.

But, I'm still waiting for the time I can honestly submit to this move without so much heartache and whining.

It's been a year since I moved and I still don't like it and long to move away from here. It's 4:00 in the morning and haven't slept much tonight due to the aching heart. But,His mercies are new right now this morning as I type, so maybe today the attitude will be obedient and remain in line with out a fight... because I'm tired...if not there's tomorrow... right?

Thank you for your ministry.

Anonymous said...

You know, I am right where Libby is too....still mourning a move I didn't choose to make, still wondering what in the world God is doing..but knowing that His ways are higher than my ways, and His plans are for good and not for evil, and that if I seek Him first, all these things will be added unto you, and that He will direct my path....honestly, these changes are harder for me now, than then changes earlier in my life.....you would think after the stuff I've gone through, it would get easier....one thing I do now is look back at earlier journal entries to remind myself of God's faithfulness and His provision....it helps, so I am journaling now too for encouragement for later.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your thoughts about Mrs. Noah. Years ago a friend told me to remember that this life is a journey, and we are never really home until we reach heaven. That has helped me with the many moves we've made and the changes that come with it. Also, after one move that I hated, the Lord spoke in my heart and said He wanted to be the reality of where I live - my home! To think that God wants to be at home in my heart, and wants me to feel at home in Him, wherever I am, enabled me to change my attitude and choose to make my apartment a comfortable home for the family, with a few inexpensive decorative touches, and a better attitude/atmosphere from me! So glad the Lord goes with us, in this journey of life!

Anonymous said...

P.S. - My name is Becky, and the above "anonymous" entry about life's journey is mine. I don't blog enough, and forgot that I must change our computer settings to use my "Blessed B" blogger name, but was glad that my comment finally came through. Anonymous, though, is not for me. I don't like to be nameless - seems too impersonal. : )

K. Langston said...

I am feeling today l like I am standing at the side of the ocean and I can feel a huge wave approaching. I sense the POWER of it!

I know that it's the Spirit already descending for the SHE SPEAKS conference. I can feel Him, P31 group! He's waiting for each and every woman to walk through those doors, and P31 ladies,

God is so very PLEASED with each of you!

See you there! I'll be the introvert wondering around looking for coffee!

Laura said...

Another post that is right on, Van! I was touched by how you compare moving to a disaster. I'm sure it does seem that way. I'm blessed that my hubbie and I have been in the same community since we have been married. I realize that is unusual, and am so thankful for it. i pray for my sisters who go through the sorrow of starting over...but I must say, sometimes I feel a little left out. My friends who move enjoy their old friends, and get to make new ones! I know it is a difficult time, but it can be exciting too. Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.
I leave for Charlotte tomorrow!