Loss and Gain

As I gain my family back together again, one member is experiencing a loss and a gain at the same time.  Kris has decided to move to Dubuque this weekend.  She has a job starting on Monday, and if all works well she will stay at the job and stay living in Dubuque.  While the rest of us are over joyed at her return, I know she has very mixed emotions about this.

It is not that Kris does not want to be with us, that I know.  However, she is being asked to give up something she has a passion for.  Where she works now, she is well liked and she loves her job and the people she works with and the children she works with.  I can only imagine for sure the gut feelings that she is going through.  This is a loss that will take time to heal from.  Telling her to look on the bright side, is not going to be helpful.  Telling her that there are more positives then negatives, will not be helpful.

It is time for myself and our family to be there, waiting to do whatever she needs done to help her during this adjustment.  The community we live in will need to be patient as well.  Most of them have had time to come to terms with the major changes in life that seminary brings.  I know that the spouses are affected by this the most.
This is not their calling into ministry, but their spouse into ministry.   However, least we forget, God is in control and the call of one is a call of two, but sometimes the second one’s calling is support.  Maybe later it will be further defined and maybe not.

Lord I pray that our family will be able to support each other during the coming days, weeks, months and years and that with the help of the Spirit, there will be guidance and enlightenment along the way that we all may take part in a wonderful experience that is meant for each of us.