New Beginnings: Fatalistic or Bright Future

I’ve always been told that life is full of changes. And this is SOOO true. I’m sitting here at my desk in good ole Alabama. I’m suppose to be in Oregon, Ohio preaching for a great congregation of about 275. The parsonage has been totally remodeled for us. They’re ready and we were ready. Excitement doesn’t fully express the joy we were feeling about this new adventure. This was a God-opened door. It was going to work out. We were ready to preach JESUS! Evangelize the city! Bring hope to the hopeless! Rescue the alien! WE WERE READY!!! Of course, when you move out of state there must be a change in health insurance (I will refrain from expressing my beliefs on the health care crisis). We applied and to our utter shock we were denied. First of all there are no major health concerns with my family. One of my boys has a very minor heart defect which doesn’t effect him at all. The doctor has given him full range of sports, etc. Everyone has minor health issues, right? But nothing that should cause a caution flag to be waved. After exhausting every option as parents we felt our medical coverage is a MUST for our family, thus, we decided not to move. A total unexpected change of plans. Now, a reversal of emotions. I’m MAD! Hurt! Tick off with health care. My heart breaks for the congregation in Oregon. Would they understand? All this happened five days before the moving truck was suppose to be at my house. Well, I informed the congregation about our fears and I think some were upset and I understand, but as a parent what am I to do? I got to take care of my family. So, I’m sitting in Alabama wondering why all of the changes. I can’t move out of state because of health insurance. My heart is in preaching and teaching the Word of God, but I cannot find a church in Alabama. I have NO job. I’m contemplating working (if they will hire me) with Aflac Insurance, but not sure if that will work or not? So, I go back to my first line; life is full of changes. Some changes are for the good and others are not. As Christians we don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we do know who holds it. I know this in my mind, but it’s hard to grasp with my emotions. What’s going to happen? I don’t know. I’m in the process of moving back to Mobile and we will see. Through all of this I’ve learn some important lessons. God must be our priority, family is essential and friends are a blessing. This doesn’t wipe away all the tears, but it does get you out of bed. Be thankful for what you have because you don’t know when it may change.