Maiki (the dog) is enjoying, for the first time in her life, having a garden to run and play in. Teddi (the cat) on the other hand, is only slowly getting his confidence back. The move really disrupted his safe little world, and for all of the first day he huddled catatonic (no pun intended) under a chair. He's beginning to venture out a little bit now and, although he spends most of his time hiding under the bed, today he made it obvious that he wanted to see out of the window. I realised that the poor boy had no idea of where he was; at his old home he could lie on the balcony and watch the world go by in the street below... but now, for several scary days, he had never seen outside of the strange new house we brought him to. So, this morning, while I was reading my Bible, I let him look out at the neighbourhood from my high up bedroom window.
As for me, I feel a little bit as if I'm still camping: my clothes are in suitcases and boxes; I had to go down to the garage to hunt for my nail clippers; my coffee machine is sitting in the bathroom; I bought only three potatoes at the supermarket because I have nowhere to store a whole bag; I can't find the chondroitin tablets I take to relieve my arthritis....
Don't get me wrong! I'm not complaining at all. I am very thankful for a place to stay. I'm just also very aware of the fact that this is only temporary and that the search for my "real home" needs to continue throughout this month.
Life feels "on hold," but not all ministry is on hold. Today we begin the online "children at risk" training course that will continue regularly over the next six months. Other coaching appointments, leadership meetings and outreach planning times are all continuing amidst the "camping."
This morning, I happened to read the Bible verse that says, "My times are in your hands." (Psalm 31: 15) A sidebar devotional spoke about God being in charge of the "timing" in our lives; about how we can trust Him with both the "whats" and the "whens." I do trust Him, but I also realise that trusting the timing is more challenging when there are deadlines hanging over you. I choose to walk in His peace and not to give place to worry or panic today.
