You'll Thank Me Later

I used to think that this was one of the most irritating statements you could hear. Really? You know OH SO MUCH BETTER than me? And you think I'll actually THANK you for this pain/frustration/what-have-you that I feel is being inflicted on me right now? Puh-leeze.

And yet...I think this is exactly the sentiment that the Lord is saying to M and I right now.

As most of you know, the transition from DC to Chicago wasn't without shed tears, missed friends and lots and lots of frustration. At times, it seemed like this was exactly what we WEREN'T supposed to be doing. Who picks up and moves to a city they've never lived in with no job, no friends and a butt-kicking hard education in front of them? Apparently the Hyde Park Heroes.

And yet...

We've learned so many things here, things that- while we very well could have learned them back in DC- wouldn't have been learned so quickly or so deeply in our "previous life". We've learned the importance of community in a person's life, in raising a family and in pursuing the higher truths. We've learned how to love one another deeply and how to trust one another with every aspect of our lives. I've learned that there is a vocational calling on my life to help people "love their neighbor," especially in urban areas of high dis-investment, segregation and distrust. M has learned that he loves studying public policy and that he's quite gifted at these things. We've learned how to really study God's Word, not just because we should but because we love it and know that there are great, deep truths to be pondered and discussed; truths that make an eternal difference. We've learned how to live wisely on the (few) dollars that we bring in, not because we're cheap but because we believe that what we spend our money on is a reflection of what we value. We've learned that true friendships are worth their weight in gold and that they don't blossom overnight, making us even more thankful for those friends who continue to love us, seek us out and respond to our emails.

Gosh, and that's only after 5 months.

No matter where we are next (and we are definitely hopeful it will be a return to the city and community that we love) it is good to know that God not only met us here in Hyde Park but led us here, too. That even in times of supreme frustration and confusion, there can still be a plan and a purpose and maybe, just maybe, wonderful things to be learned and experienced.

And for that we are thankful.