kicking doors

Proverbs 16v9

Men make plans in their hearts but it is God who directs their steps.

I wrote this up on our family blackboard when Mum and Dad visited for a day last month. They were in Hawke's Bay for a job interview. They weren't on the hunt for a new job, they were happy where they were but had been nudged by a few to apply for this position. I played down my excitement at the prospect of them moving close.  I didn't want to influence their decision. I knew they were struggling with where God wanted them, they had believed it was Morrinsville. I wrote the verse up to encourage Dad that it was God who opened and shut doors and there was no harm in kicking a door to see if it opened or not.

They got offered the job. Two weeks, and lots of prayer and advice past until they had accepted and it was official. So by this Christmas Dad will be the new vicar at St Luke's. Which also means they will be living less than a 2 minute drive away.  

I am beyond excited that my kids are going to grow up with both sets of grandparents living close by. I already feel completely spoilt living 10 houses from my amazing in laws, and I can't express enough how much I was over the 4 hour drive each way to visit. 

The day after Mum and Dad's interview, I got called up by the principal at Lucy's school asking that now that funding allowed, and because of a staff reshuffle, would I like what was essentially my old job back. One day a week but this time in a year 4 class. Marcus' mum had already offered to watch Nathan for me on Fridays. 

So just like Mum and Dad I found myself faced with a job that I wasn't looking for. Day relieving (especially in winter) has proved good enough pocket money.  But this job did seem perfect, and year four is my favourite level.

Marcus was in South Africa on a business trip so I ran the idea past him when he called that night.

He responded by asking how I would feel about moving to South Africa for 6 months?

"Ummm, what?"

He repeated the question.

I repeated all that I could muster in that moment with another, "Ummm, what? Where has that come from?"

I got off the phone with the suggestion we talk about it when he got home.  I finished putting the kids to bed, my head spinning then walked past the blackboard that still had the top proverb written on it

 touche Lord,  touche.

So while things are all still up in the air for us, there is peace and acceptance in our planning as we let that verse hone our hearts. Whatever happens it will be an adventure.