“I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world” (John 16:33).

It was 4:00 on a Tuesday. The workday had ended, and she slid her bag into the passenger side of her white SUV, along with her empty lunch bag, her unused umbrella, and a basket of leftovers from the staff luncheon. It was time to pick up her son from school, the moment she looked forward to every day at the same time. Sing-songy words, stories shared between seats, laughter … Every second was a gift.

The routine truly went like clockwork, down to the second. The drive home at the end of the day pushed the hands to each number more quickly, leaving less free time once they arrived at home. Dinner, cleaning up, preparing lunches, bedtime—and then up again the next morning.

Although it was a challenge each day to fight the hands of the clock to get it all done, her life was one she prayed for for years: pursuing her passions while raising a family, having married her best friend.

Life isn’t easy, but it’s beautiful.

A Fastpitch Curveball

All too often, we fall victim to doubts, fears, and everyday worries, even when life becomes more predictable with a routine and full schedule. Will I become the person God is calling me to be? Am I working hard enough? Am I being a good wife, mother, daughter, friend? Did I do everything I needed to do today to fulfill my calling and vocation? Then, once we finally feel we have it somewhat together—or even like we have it under control and actually have answers—God throws a fastpitch curveball. It never fails.

One of the biggest curveballs the Lord secretly plans and then hurls to us is a move. Whether you are moving across town or across the country, moving is just … well … hard. It ends a routine and forces you to trust in the Lord as you push into the unknown. I should know; it was a curveball the Lord threw at my family and me a few months ago. And he taught me some important lessons in doing so.

Making Adult Friends

I don’t know about you, but making new friends became more difficult once I started a career and a family. After-work time is typically adorned in gold and preciously protected. Friendship takes time, effort, and generosity. Moving makes maintaining friendships more difficult, and making new friends can seem nearly impossible. Will a potential friend just appear in the aisle next to you at the grocery store or in the cubicle or office adjacent to you?

I believe the Holy Spirit pushes us in directions that lead to what we need in different seasons of our lives. I’ve made some good friends in the workplace and in other unexpected places during times in my life when I didn’t know I needed them. Do I have a giant crowd of friends whom I see constantly? Absolutely not. What I do have is a handful of like-minded friends (and some less like-minded) who come if I call.

A true friend is hard to find, but when you do find one, hold onto that person with both arms—even if it’s figuratively, because you’re miles apart. People are placed in our lives for a reason, and God always has a plan, even if it’s hard to see.

Navigating a New Town

On top of trying to meet like-minded folks to build friendships with, moving can literally seem like a complex puzzle as you learn how to navigate a new place. I usually struggle to figure out where to go without specific, detailed, turn-by-turn navigation. I’m just not gifted in understanding maps.

Prayer and wide-open eyes used to help me on a dead cell phone Monday or a bad reception Saturday. But, many of these days are long gone now that cars are automatically equipped with USB ports. Still, if you’re like me, on a weekday in a new town, you’re searching for familiar areas to learn without a GPS to look like you somewhat know what you’re doing in front of colleagues or visiting family members or while taking a new friend out for dinner. It took me years to figure out my previous town, and moving erased everything I had saved upstairs, rudely handing back a blank chalkboard. It always seems to take me so long to find the chalk, too!

Unpacking Things

Lastly, a move always takes longer than you anticipate because of all of the things that accumulate year after year. Recently, someone who moved across the country told me that the items seem like junk when they’re in boxes and, as they’re unpacked, transform into your most cherished possessions. I can relate; before I packed my boxes, I was adamant that we needed everything in our new home. Once I saw the many boxes packed tightly into our moving truck and then maneuvered into our new home like Tetris pieces, it felt like I could have just kicked them all out to the curb.

In fact, it’s amazing how much you can live without before your boxes are unpacked. We spent weeks eating on paper plates, surrounded by boxes, perfectly content and not needing one single item inside them. The happiness we shared was immeasurable, laughing at our “fort” and throwing plates in the trash can to give us more time to be together.

Focusing on time with my family rather than the stress of unpacking opened my eyes to see that what our hearts truly need isn’t always what we think it is. The stress of unpacking gave way to an openness to the big picture the Lord was showing me: that small moments matter and make lasting memories.

Call Upon the Lord

In moments of stress during a move or other big change, call upon the Lord. In our everyday lives, especially when we have so much on our plate, we seem to forget to ask for help. The Lord always provides; it just may not always be on our timing or in the way we expect. I will admit, though: His timing is always perfect.

During our most recent move, I found a strong love for sitting in silence. It may seem strange to do so during a time of questioning God’s plan, but silence is a precious gift He gives us. It allows Him to speak to our heart at a time when we can fully be present in prayer and gratitude.

Does the Lord speak to us when we feel stressed, trying to manage a schedule in a new city? Yes. Does the Lord speak to us when we are lost and have no idea where the nearest grocery store is? Yes. He speaks in these moments, and we can often see His work later. Silence, though, is a time when we can reflect, pray, and speak directly with the Lord to start to understand His plan for each of us in each season. That plan is the most beautiful gift we could ever receive; we just have to learn to trust Him enough to give Him our open hand so that He can place that gift in it.

Christina Sabo is the director of marketing and communications for Mount de Sales Academy in Macon, Georgia. She strives to take in every moment of the day with a joyful heart, loves spending time with her family, and enjoys the great outdoors during her free time. You can follow her on social media or connect through LinkedIn.