Every time I fly back into California I can’t help but get a bit teary-eyed. Flying over the beautiful mountains ranges is always breathtaking and seeing the white caps cover the pacific, although have become so distant, are still so familiar. But it isn’t just the mountains, hills, ocean or redwoods that trigger my emotions, it’s just simple nostalgia.
My life began, grew up, matured, married and had a family all in the same area. Memory upon memory are spread throughout this state and are permanently etched in my brain. Every site, sound and smell of California, the Bay, and everything else brings in a flood of memories that go straight to the heart.
This was home. For over 50 years, this was home. But I have learned it was also just a season. It was a season of many great things in my life and many painful things as well. This was where all my firsts thus far happened. And unbeknownst to me it was a season of preparation. A time of stripping, molding, teaching, strengthening and humbling, all to get me ready for new beginnings because like all seasons, there is end.
Texas is my home now. We began a new season over two and a half years ago with new adventures, family, friends, sites, sounds and smells that are taking root in my heart. I’m anxious to get home. I love my new home.
Every season of life prepares us for the next. Every joyful memory and painful heartache are meant to be building blocks for a firmer foundation of our next chapter and season of life’. And it continues, until we reach our final destination, a home that is being prepared for us by our Savior.
Each season should bring growth, bear fruit and purge the bad fruit. Every season should bring strength, courage, hope and perseverance. Every season should be seasoned with memories built upon memories that are tucked away in a safe place and taken into that next chapter of life. They are there to draw upon when you are lost, hopeless or sad to remind you that we have a good good Father who walks with us in every season with all its trials, struggles and victories.
I’m going home. My heart is in Texas. But a piece of it will always be in California. This is the place God began a good work in me. This is the place where He taught me what friendship is and how the body of Christ should look. This is the place where I learned many hard lessons. This is the place where I became a daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. This is the place Jesus got a hold of my life.
This is the place that prepared me for where I am at today. Every person that has ever invested in me has their fingerprints on my current season of life.
I’m grateful for my season in California. But I am even more grateful for those relational cords that cannot be broken. Coming back to California is like free falling back into the arms of friends and family who will always be a safety net. But it’s time to go home.
Thank you to my dear friends that made this visit possible. Jeff and Lisa Mathews for always opening your home to us. We love staying at your warm home. Arlie and Vicki Steele thank you for lending us your car! Wow, what a blessing! Thank you to everyone who met with us and stayed up with us talking, sharing and praying. Thank you to those whoshared meals with us, and came out to see us. We loved meeting with as many friends as possible and wished we could have met with more.
We will see you again soon.