Here I am. Somewhere new.
My husband and I packed it all in the car…every single item we could. Balls went into crannies, books went in nooks and luggage found container spots I never knew existed. We drove 20 hours straight. Sleepless. Determined. Eager. Excited. Taking a one-hour sleep detour at a highway-hugging rest stop, so as not to kill ourselves.
I was headed somewhere new.
Expecting better.
Letting the carrot call me.
It always has…
I wanted a new school to teach me new things, so I would finally be smart. I wanted new friends to finally love me. I wanted new clothes rather than a uniform. I wanted new experiences to make me wise. I wanted a new place to make me new, the shiny girl that everyone wanted.
What new are you searching for?
Somewhere else. That is the place of promise…
It looks great until you get there, then you see what is wrong with it.
Then you see – flaws.
My first thought: “This place doesn’t have that much.”
My second thought: “I don’t have any friends here.”
My third thought: “I am going to have a horrible summer.”
I gazed out my shiny new window, “Things aren’t going to turn out. I’m going to hate life here.”
What pile sits before you – that you can’t sort? What looks impossible?
My husband approached, somehow reading my mind, “God has whispered to me…’Kelly, we need to see his good, his life, his opportunity.’“
God is greater than meets the eye – his great is always ready to unfold.
Beyond trash, there is a God who knows the route. A God who sees the whole horizon. A God who knows how to steer around potholes. A God who is well aware of the way.
Will I embark? Will I step up as the traveler, along for the ride? Sitting under shelter? Waiting on his timing? Soaking in his opportunities? Expectant of the view?
Yet, believing, all the same, that every road ends at love, which is the real feeling of being enraptured into beautiful.
“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. (Is. 58:11)
I am driving into his presence.
By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Ex. 13:21
He will sit over me and be over me.
He will sit over you and be over you.
He will progress me into his progress.
He will progress you into his progress.
He will help me see the horizon of the new he is going to do.
He will help you to see the horizon of the new he is going to do.
He will be. And so will I.
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10)
And, just doing that opens up a whole new view. A trajectory. A horizon of hope. A story about to unfold.
You are, God – God. Today I declare it and tomorrow I will continue to believe it. Amen.
Get all Purposeful Faith blog posts by email – click here.

God is the great that awaits. So appropriate for me today. I’m declaring it and believing it along with you, friend. (Still haven’t sent the description of my upcoming move for the FB book, but will! It’s still on my list, lots to do with our move!)
Thank you so much sweet friend. You and me, we embark, trusting God. Here we go!!!
First of all the graphic is gorgeous. Second of all, so appreciate your transparency about how you’re feeling. Praying for you with this transition. Excited for your summer adventure- may but it be fertile training ground as you settle in.
Thank you Katie. Much love to you my friend.
A fantastic post Kelly – that verse spoke straight into my life right now as did your story – Exciting and yet scary times ahead you have encouraged me. Bless you xx
Tania, I praise God for speaking into us both. He knows just what we need. His love is limitless. Oh, how we serve a great God.
[…] linking up with Holly Barrett’s Testimony Tuesday, Kelly Balarie’s #RaRaLinkup, Holley Gerth’s Coffee for Your Heart, Lyli Dunbar’s Thought-Provoking Thursday, […]
God is greater than meets the eye. His great is ready to unfold. I love that Kelly. Such beautiful words to read this morning.
Thank you Debbie. We wait knowing his best is always coming at us. God, help us!
[…] It’s a blessing to link up with some great people: Crystal for #IntentionalTuesday, Holly for #TestimonyTuesday, and Kelly for #RaRaLinkup. […]
Thank you for hosting!
You describe your heart so openly and this honesty makes you vulnerable with us and God. I know He is protecting you as you move into something new. I am searching for what’s next in my life but have had many detours along the way this past year. God uses all for His good. Praying for you and your family. Blessings!
Thank you Mary. You are an encourager – every. single. time. May God bless you so wildly. I want that so much for you; I can’t imagine how he does.
[…] with Intentionally Pursuing, Purposeful Faith, Testimony Tuesday, Suzie Eller, and Thought-provoking […]
Oh . . . this post hit close to home, because I have a tendency to go with the negative right from the beginning (It saves so much time . . .I guess?). I love how you listened to the sweet whisper of your husband — so often my patient husband has had to pull me away from the Eeyore perspective, and I consider that to be a great gift from God!
Yes, me too Michele. Husbands have a heart-line to us, don’t they. Even when we don’t want it – ha!
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I’ve realized, while writing my ebook this past month, I’ve been doing it in fear. With so much self doubt. I keep reminding myself of something you said in the Compel conversation: Asking Jesus to be with you in your writing. I’ve started to doing that, and I have to say, peace has begun to settle in my heart!
Keep up your encouraging words sweet friend!
Sarah
Yes, Sarah, he longs to be with us. He is teaching me it is so much about a journey and hardly about a destination. I love it. I am so glad you are grasping a hold of him.
Kelly, It sounds like God has something extraordinary in store for you and your family. And yet, extraordinary is sometimes scary. Praying God’s blessing on you and the new friends He has waiting for you!
Please God! Let that be so. We are just going as he goes; I know he will be here. He has great for you too Diane.
Praying for you amid the transition, Kelly. “Be still and know…” slips off the tongue easily. Living it out becomes an intentional, daily, often self-depriving choice. We moved 2 years ago – many life changes at that time. Hardest transition ever. Just this month we determined to call it home. Go figure – 2 years. Don’t wait that long. 😉 Praise God for His plan.
Thank you Kristi. I agree. It is easy to say, hard to do. So wise. I am glad you have settled. Peace. It just sounds peaceful that you settled.
Beautiful Kelly. Even in our wilderness, He is guiding us towards His promise. Like be the imagery you painted today with jour words. Hugs! Susan
Yes. Thank you. Love you Susan!
[…] #GiveMeGrace, #UsCoffeeandJesus, #LMMLinkup, #IntentionalTuesday, #RaRaLinkup […]
[…] Linking up this week with Kelly Balarie at Purposeful Faith, Jennifer Dukes Lee at #TellHisStory, Crystal Storms at Intentional Tuesday, Lyli Dunbar at […]
[…] up today with some fab communities! Will you join us? #IntentionalTuesday #TellHisStory #RaRaLinkup […]
I had to jot down two different lines that hit me today. One of them from here read, “I wanted a new place to make me new, the shiny girl everyone wanted.” OUCH. Just the fact that it hit me opened me eyes to a root buried that I didn’t realize was there… all my life I have ran on to the next thing, the next place if I wasn’t progressing the way or at the speed I thought was right. Like maybe a redo was the answer instead of being faithful in the hard parts where I was. If I couldn’t see the fruits I guess I thought they weren’t there?
I know this, it is part of my testimony – but I never looked at it this way. Wow.
[…] at Tell His Story, Testimony Tuesday, Intentional Tuesday, Purposeful Faith, Literary Musing, Moments of Hope, Small Wonder, Good Morning […]
Amen to that. So many things have changed and is still changing. God is the only constant One.
Wow 20 hours straight! That’s incredible. Anyway, I love what you did with the photos. Praying for your transition. God has much in store for you!
I love your quote graphic, Kelly!! God is the great adventure that awaits … I love how you put this. Such a beautiful picture. <3
Change is wonderful, scary, exciting and a PERFECT way to expand the horizons of our faith. Rest assured that is will stretch you and grow you in ways you never thought possible! God is FOR you! 🙂
And PS I think you might be about 8 hours from me now, so if you ever get crazy and feel like meeting somewhere in the middle, I’m game! Glad you’re still going strong! Cheering the cheerleader on!! 🙂 <3
Kelly, thanks for reminding us that His beauty and glory are always unfolding.
Lord, give me eyes to see!
xo
[…] When Those Who Wander Get Lost […]