A New Season Ahead...

When I was a little girl...I was absolutely, positively sure that one day I would be a missionary. As I grew up, the desire grew stronger. I began to make life choices that would see this desire to fruition. At times, I became distracted and went off course a bit...but for the most part...I was devoted to this calling.
Little did I know that God's plan was a slight variation of what I had in mind. A missionary to Paupa New Guinea, Africa, or the Philippines? No. Wife to a man led by the Holy Spirit, committed to a life of service, and seeking to minister to anyone in need. Yes.

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven... Ecclesiastes 3:1
 
One night...sitting at our tiny table in our tiny apartment, our first year of marriage...Jason trusted me with his dreams. We sat with empty coffee cups long forgotten, dreaming starry-eyed of our future - we wistfully wondered if it would ever come about.

A time to be born, and a time to die...Ecclesiastes 3:2


Living in Arizona - close to our family - we settled into our comfortable routines. Two babies joined the ranks...life got a little crazier. But we loved our church and loved our friends and loved our family. In the midst of our comfortable little lives, God called us out. To move to a new place. A new church. New friends. New challenges. And so...we were onto Charlotte.

A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down,  and a time to build up...Ecclesiastes 3:2-3

Moving was not easy. Six months without a job was challenging to our marriage, our faith, and our family. But a blessing came in the form of Calvary Church and we finally found a HOME!! Two years as a sports evangelism pastor then transitioning to a high school pastor - Jason thrived in this new home. The students quickly found their place in our hearts...and we loved them like our own children!

 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; Ecclesiastes 3:4-5

After many sleepless nights, early morning prayer times, tearful talks, searching the Scriptures and counsel seeking conversations...we realized that this season was coming to an end. Jason's desire to reach beyond...to impact more...to spread the Truth further than our backyard brought us to the hardest decision we've yet to face. But with willing obedience, we surrendered our lives once again to the leading of our Lord.

A time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silent, and a time to speak...Ecclesiastes 3:6–7

As of June 3rd, Jason will no longer be working at Calvary Church...although we will continue to call it our home. Our new season is only beginning to take shape. It has a name, a mission, a focus, a plan and even a  board of directors. It does not yet have the stability of a regulated paycheck, financial security, or a well traveled path. But our confidence and our hope and our security is in our God - who has always been faithful!!!

I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it that men should fear before Him. Ecclesiastes 3:14

This season is entitled:  re|shift ministries. Born out of a desire to help parents, teens and pastors disciple the next generation with a biblical worldview. Stopping the downward spiral of biblical illiteracy - starting in the home. Concentrating on three ambitions - emboldening parents, teens and pastors to shift back to their God-intended position, place and purpose;  equipping parents, teens and pastors with a biblical worldview grounded in Christ; and engaging the sphere of influence parents have over their teens, teens have over their friends, and pastors have over their families.

That which is has already been, and what is to be has already been; and God requires an account of what is past. Ecclesiastes 3:15

It is not for everyone to applaud, affirm, or agree with. Obedience does not usually come with a cheering section. It is a calling on our lives in which we need to obey. Another opportunity for us to lay down all that is comfortable and trust again in His sovereign plan! This comes in many different circumstances and challenges for every one of us. We are choosing to obey...not knowing what the future holds...but knowing He holds our future.

God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. Ecclesiastes 3:17

A season that is unchartered. A future that is hidden. But a God that will not be thwarted. A purpose that will be seen to completion. A season that will change our lives!


If you would like more information on this new season of our lives...feel free to explore http://reshiftministries.org/.