Mike Paschall . com

It is my happy pleasure to post some thoughts from my girl.  Patti is the real pastor of the two of us.  Our transitions are much tougher on her than for me.  I love the stuff she is saying about our next venture!  Thanks babe!  xo  -MDP-

This is the day that lies before me.  These are the hours.  This is my life.  I lift myself up to ask for blessings from above and bow down to ask for the blessings of the earth.  I take these gifts with thanks and open my heart.  I let go of my past and what has gone before and reach forward to my future.  I turn to those things I am looking for but also to those that I do not expect and are yet unknown.  May the road of this day be good.  This is my life.  Everything starts with little seeds, bring them together and let them grow.  Let them blossom.  But everything that blossoms decays and falls to earth.  Take care of what is inside and be ready to open up.  All that was yesterday is past.  All of today lies ahead.  Trust your strength and sweetness.  A new day is awaiting you.

Innsbruck Retreat Center Prayer – Author unknown

“Let go, Let go, and receive whatever is on your path.   Take everything that you have learned so far and let it lead you.”

Wow, what powerful words I heard as I was listening to “Two Halves of Life” by Richard Rohr and Paula D’Arcy.  As Paula said those words, I heard in my spirit, “you must write a blog today.”  I debated with God, telling him that I am not a blogger.  Mike is the blogger.  But… here I am, writing my very first blog!

SO, here I go.  Hope you enjoy!

Our 25th move is only a few days away.  Yes… TWENTY-FIVE!  I married Mike when I was 18 years old.  In the 35 years that we have been married, we have moved 24 times.  Some of the moves were only for a few months, but they still count as a move.

When I heard Paula’s words today, it was an immediate reminder to me that again, I have to LET GO:

LET GO of another house that I have tried to make a home; LET GO of another season in my life; LET GO of another chapter in my story; LET GO of more people; LET GO of the things that are not mine, but HIS!

For too many years I saw another move as loss, but the older I get, I have learned that a new season and a new chapter is GAIN.  Yes, it is physically hard moving and emotionally challenging to let go, but I am thankful for being alive and learning to receive whatever is on my path.  Hopefully, I’ll take what I have learned in the previous chapter and let it lead me into the next.

As I sit here today, I think about all the displaced people from hurricane Sandy. I remember all the people who have lost family or their homes to fire, water, wind or sand.  I think about an amazing Pastor in Texas (who was once my Pastor) that was recently diagnosed with brain cancer, and I think about a dear friend’s brother who just had a stroke at the young age of 57.  I reflect on another friend in Texas that was suddenly attacked with a rare virus after years of health.  I watch my precious mother’s challenge with memory loss and my loving father-in-law struggling with his own set of health issues.  I have also recently witnessed a family face the one-year anniversary of the loss of their dear wife, mother, daughter, and sister.  I see pain, disaster, loss and sickness all around me.

Because of these things, I am reminded:

LIFE IS PRECIOUS!  LIFE IS SHORT!  The “things” of this world don’t really matter.

PEOPLE MATTER!  Our lives are a story.  No matter where you are in your book, at the beginning, the middle, or near the end, remember that your life really is about LOVING PEOPLE AND LETTING GO.

So today, as I prepare for #25, I am thanking God for so many things, especially this most recent chapter in my book.  I am excited to see what it’s going to look like.  Yes, I am moving away from some precious people, BUT I look forward to the new people I get to meet and love.  Some days I struggle with whether or not my heart is big enough for more people, and the answer is always YES.  I can do this!  God created me to LOVE, BECAUSE HE IS LOVE!!!!!

Maybe one day I’ll write another blog to give you an update, but, in the meantime, enjoy YOUR season and LOVE YOUR PEOPLE!   Continue to embrace your story and let HIM write it with you.  Be thankful, and learn to face every day with open hands!  LET GO AND LOVE!

Ms. Patti