Our family has been feeling the tension of a need for change ever since Scott and I got married and I moved in with him in Brooklyn. We really love Brooklyn. Let me re-phrase, I really love Brooklyn. Scott wants to be out in the woods!, but we really have enjoyed what God has brought us to here. Especially our awesome church community at North Brooklyn Vineyard. Scott and I both agree, we've never been to a church that is so full of fellowship and friendship! Its amazing!! I think in the second week we were attending this church we were invited to dinner at our pastors house along with some other new couples in the church. We were plugged in and connected to people so quickly, and not just "church" people, but people that were real and genuinely wanted to know us and pursue a relationship with us, while we all continued to pursue a relationship with God. Its been a really healthy atmosphere for us. We've had so much support, especially with the birth of our first daughter 10 months ago:)
So although we didn't see ourselves planting roots here, we really love the community here. We are by no means running away from something we dislike, but we are just trying to run into obedience to God. Which even if its hard, its always the BEST way to live.
In October we went to visit with our best friends Mitch and Katie. Every time we visit with the Luse family we leave more fired up about following God than we were when we came. We receive intense encouragement and God always shows up and ministers to the needs of both of our families when we are together. We are so grateful for our friendship with them! And especially for their honesty with us for what they feel like God is saying about our situation.
We could barely finish our first meal together before Mitch and Katie jumped on the opportunity to pray over us and ask God what He was saying for our next move.
The presence of God came in an unmistakable way as we sat around the dinner table. We could feel Him and hear Him so clearly, a time that we will always remember.
God was speaking to Scott and I about leaving New York. Telling us clearly and bringing the four of us (6 of us if you count our babies:) into agreement that it was time for us to pack up and transition to a new beginning. However, there was a very serious spirit of poverty that Scott and I needed to be delivered of before God could continue to show us where we were to go.
I will write out here a few characteristics of a spirit of poverty, if you identify with any of these feelings, don't hesitate to ask God to come into your heart and remove these lies! He has come to give us a life and give it MORE abundantly! (John 10:10)
- Feeling that there is never enough
- Feelings of constant lack
- hoarding--not just with stuff, but with money as well because you feel like if you let go of anything you will not get it back
- fear of giving
We were feeling like if we left Brooklyn we would not be provided for like we have been here. We were scared to step out because we weren't sure of the outcome. We've built up a certain security in Brooklyn, that wasn't based on God, but that was based on our finances and our home and our things.
Now don't get me wrong, Scott and I don't feel like its wrong to have things. We believe having money, a house, a car, nice stuff like my new iphone:) and our sweet Macbook pro are all GREAT! We don't think that following God means you have to HAVE to have NOTHING and content. We just think that in putting your contentment and confidence in God, that no matter what you have how much or how little, you still believe in Him and you still believe He is good! He is good because that is who God is. Not because of what He does. Although what He does is amazing also:)
Anyway, we left DC feeling a new sense of freedom in God and ready to seek Him on where we were to go! And when:)
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