I have truly enjoyed my 2 years and 5 months "break" living here in Berrien Springs, Michigan. The beauty of Berrien Springs quite astounds me. Not just because it's quiet. Not just because there are so much trees, hiking trails, beaches, and not even just the solitude of the place. But rather everything that it represents for me... the whole package.
Coming here in 2007, I knew it was going to be soooo incredibly different from my usually hectic life. Working at a law firm doesn't exactly give you much break and time to just "sit and relax". Even during lunch time or social events at work or even at home, I'm constantly mentally ticking off my "to do list". The last firm I was with wasn't so bad. I wasn't staying until 9 p.m. or later and never had to come in on Sundays. So it was good but still very very hectic. Honestly, I don't even think in the 7 years of me working as a Legal Assistant/Clerk that I had very much family quality time. What a sad thing to realize. Imagine what I missed all those years with my dear husband and son!
Our first few months here were great and frustrating! I felt like someone shook my life and put it upside down... my world was spinning around me and I didn't know which direction to go. For the first time in my life, I didn't HAVE to do something. I didn't have to make sure I stayed on top of things and had a good job. Actually, I didn't have to have a job. That was tough... it was like I was going crazy coz I wasn't stressed! Yeah... I know! Nuts!!! My life here was so foreign I didn't know what to make out of it. I rebelled against "relaxing" for months. I tried looking for jobs... babysitting or volunteering but God closed every single one of those doors! And oh boy... was I frustrated! But He NEEDED me to learn to slllllooooowwww down. To learn to take one step at a time knowing that this was crucial for me to practice for this is what He plans to do... for me to take one step at a time with Him in whatever comes my way.
So I learned to slow down. I learned to cook well. (Praise God!) I learned to NOT stress out (still relearning this once and a while). I learned that time was a friend not an enemy. lol. I learned how much God is so much bigger and majestic than what I thought He was. I learned to submit to Him even when I really didn't want to and I unlearned to be stress. Oh man... this place is where I learned about life and it's purpose. It's where I got to experience growth and changes that only God can bring. I have a long way to go but oh my Jesus knows how far I've come! I believe these are the main reasons I love this place so much. It's a place of healing from within. It's my "therapy"!
And wow, this "therapy" is almost over! 7 more short months to go and our "break" will be over. It will be a test of our faith, our patience, and our character. I do hope that what God has done here... will carry us through what is to come. No... I don't hope... I believe it will carry us through! =) I will surely surely miss this place and the people that became my family. A part of me with always long for this "home"... always!
But I believe... it's about that time to move on. To see what God's bidding is for us and the changes that are ahead, not just in our surroundings but within ourselves and our relationship with Him. I am anxious to see family more often. To witness and participate in the lives of my nephews, brothers, sisters, and friends. I am anxious to see God's wonderful hands at work in the people He loves. To see the look of wonder and excite in someone's face who just realized and found the joy of knowing the Father or the look of hope and complete joy on someone's face who's been reunited with their Saviour!
I look forward to this new start, new beginning... it will be a starting over. We are returning "home" but it will not be like it used to. It's going to be different... better because we are returning different people with different sets of eyes that sees differently... that sees better!
I see hope, joy, love, faith, and miracles on the horizon.
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