By Miriam Rossow
Last year at this time I was not in a very wonderful place emotionally. As many of you may recall, Justin and I received the call to St. Luke mid-fall and then accepted that call the Sunday before Thanksgiving. So the weekend after Thanksgiving when I am usually putting up my Christmas decorations, which I love to do, I was instead sorting, organizing, and throwing things away. My Christmas preparation was not what I expected.
You must also know that I was very sure that God was calling us to St. Luke, and I was not altogether happy about it. I had a wonderful group of friends for me and my children, and for Justin and me as a couple. I enjoyed the weather in Texas and I was happy with how I was serving God and his church. And yet, he was calling me and my family away from that to something different.
When we got to St. Luke and Michigan I knew we were following God’s call and being faithful to him. I was however not in a place to receive his promises. Everyone, family and church, was thrilled that we were here; and I was still mourning the loss of the life I knew.
As our year continued God was gracious in showing me many reasons why he had moved us to this location at this time. Many of them were difficult; Byron’s illness, my Dad’s cancer, and Justin’s Grandmother’s death. We also had joyous blessings like being able to attend Justin’s Uncle’s ordination and 2 Goddaughters’ baptisms. God continued to be gracious and faithful to his promise even in the midst of my tired and worn out emotion and life.
Like Zechariah in our reading on Sunday, I was not prepared for what God had planned for me and my family. Like Zechariah, God took
away something so all we were left with was the promise! His promise to always be with me, His promise to provide for me, and His promise to love me were all I had to hold onto.
I am thankful that God is gracious and His promises are bigger than me!
Zechariah had 9 months of silence and time to focus on God’s promise to him that he would have a son. Zechariah had 9 months to recall that this promise was given to him not because of anything he did, not because of his faithfulness or merit. This promise of a son was given to Zechariah because God intended to give it to him.
I did not have a great heart last year at Christmas and yet God’s promise of a Son to save me from my worries, grief, loneliness , and stubbornness were still good and still given to me. His promise was not dependent on how I felt!
Here we are, 12 months later, and I have been able to focus on God’s promises to me. I have seen God be gracious in showing me reasons why we were moved at this time. His promises were given to me not because of my faithfulness to follow. They were given because he intended to give them to me!
Have I mentioned how much I love my wife?
Thanks for sharing what a blessing your family has been for us. I’m sure glad and thankful you guys came here! God’s ways are always better than ours we just never see the big picture
Thank you so much for posting this. The last few times I’ve seen you, I have noticed you have an absolutely amazing, beautiful and welcoming smile–I thought I just hadn’t noticed it before (I’m not terribly observant!)
After reading this, I’m thinking your smile NOW (like the other day I ran into you in a very hurried run to Meijer’s)–was like WOW–someone turned the light on behind your beautiful eyes!!!
I’m so very happy for you and I’m sure putting up your Christmas things in your new house this year, finally getting “settled in” and past some of the huge hurdles your life has handed you over the last year, has helped.
I really meant it when I said I was so grateful for you and Pastor on Thanksgiving. You and your husband and his entire family have been such a warm blessing to me this year when it’s been a rough go for me personally (my husband’s on-going health issues).
Thank God for you, (and especially that beautiful smile–it just made me happy!!), for your husband (he’s amazing!!) and for our church family and most especially for the joy our Savior gives us in spite of everything!!! You are dearly cherished!!
We just plain love you, Miriam! Thanks so much for your personal sacrifice and trust in God’s leading to move to Ann Arbor! May God bless you abundantly for your willing heart!
Miriam…you were carried to St. Luke surrounded by the love and prayers of God’s people…both in Texas and Michigan. We’re so grateful you embraced His Call and came with your eyes AND your heart wide open. The longer we know you, the more we discover about you to love! Thank you for sharing your heart-warming story. We appreciate you! Love and blessings, Marie
Have I mentioned how much I love my faith family?
Wow! Thank you everyone for the wonderfully kind words. I am thankful to be here and have been truly blessed by this faith family and the one in Texas as they in faith watched us go.
Rick, God’s way is always better and so often we do not get to see the big picture. As I said He was so gracious in showing me very specific reasons for our move. So I feel like I got to see a glimpse at the big picture.
Marlys, you are right that my smile was a bit hidden in the first 6 or so months here and recently I am feeling much more settled! And I do love Christmas.
Roxanne, God has already blessed me more than I could have imagined!
Marieanne, you were a blessing from the get go, with your prayers and friendly and warm heart! Thank you everyone!
Have I mentioned how much I love my husband?
Dear Miriam,
Thank you for being so transparent with your struggle! Your honesty and openness is a blessing to me, especially as I struggle with not having a place to truly call home yet. We never anticipated that we would be in temporary housing for 5 months.
It has become especially hard the closer we get to Christmas. I too love Christmas and love to decorate, but all my decorations are in storage. I do see God blessing us even through this circumstance, but your story reminds me that there is a bigger picture.
Your story encourages me to trust God that He has a reason for us still being here and that I’m sure one day we will look back and have understanding.
I praise God for bringing you here from Texas and me from Wisconsin! Without Him, I would be missing out on knowing a wonderful woman and having a great friend. One of the greatest blessings God has revealed to us since moving here is making us a part of the St. Luke faith family!
Megan, thank you for your comments and kind words. I am so glad your family is here also and I look forward to our continued friendship growing.
Living in temporary housing can be so difficult and frustrating. We have done it with two moves so I feel your pain. I know you have an understanding that God is in control and that He is working and I know that does not always make it easier. Hid promises are good even if you can’t feel them! And you can cry or vent in my direction anytime and I will not judge!
Blessings as you wait to see what wonderful blessing the Lord will bring your way! And we are so glad St. Luke has been a blessing to your family!
Thank you, Miriam.