Grow Where God Plants You
Have you ever had something happen that would drastically change your life? Sometimes when that happens, our first reaction is fear. If we can grasp the concept of Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV), we can turn that fear into trust and faith in God’s plans. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” What lies ahead of us is unknown and may seem scary, but God has gone before us and promises to lead the way.
As a military spouse, constant change is just part of life. Our first permanent change of station (PCS) move came just one and a half years into our marriage. My husband and I had a five month year old daughter and moved from Emerald Isle, North Carolina, to Bluffton, South Carolina. I had been a school teacher for six years and would transition to becoming a stay at home mom. My world was going to drastically change!
Because of all the love and support my friends and family poured into me, I was able to see this as an exciting adventure. God gave us a whole new life with new people to bless and be blessed by. We would gain a new church family, friends, volunteer opportunities, and so much more. He even stationed us just an hour and a half from my younger sister, Megan. I knew God had a specific reason for moving us to Bluffton, SC and in time, I would understand why.
Previously I had the privilege of living with my older sister for a year when I graduated college, while her husband was deployed. God gave me a front row seat to watch how gracefully she navigated the challenges. Jody was a great example of a mother, wife, and Christian. She taught me how to lean on God and trust his plans in the midst of the constant changes that came along with the Marine Corps and military life. This experience gave me confidence to trust God to lead the way on my own life journey.
After getting to South Carolina, God quickly surpassed my every expectation. The network of godly women mentors blew my mind. God opened up the chance for me to be a part of numerous Bible studies, Mom’s groups, and community groups to help me cultivate and grow as a new mom, new wife, and Christian. It was here I truly discovered the depth of my beliefs and gained a deeper understanding of God’s word.
As we were feeling settled and made ourselves at home again, new orders arrived. From South Carolina, we’d move to California with our three year old daughter and one year old son. We had just recently lost a baby to miscarriage and were still grieving our loss when it was time to move. With heavy hearts and a big move ahead; it required us to fully rely on God. Finding a rental house sight unseen, leaving all my ministry work, my sister and friends was hard. Once again, God was challenging us to stay focused on Him instead of focusing on the obstacles we were going through.
When I think back to all we were juggling I wonder how we made it through the transition so smoothly. The answer is simple. We were NEVER ALONE. With each decision that had to be made, God was right there guiding us. God was opening and closing doors according to HIS plans NOT ours. Many times we could not understand God’s reasoning, but had to trust that His ways are better than our own.
Some days I wish we could live closer to family in our hometowns, and other days I am missing our church family and friends from previous duty stations. Sometimes we simply miss favorite restaurants or stores. Eventually I remember to look up and fix my eyes on God. He ALWAYS brings me back to having a grateful heart and helps me to ignore the “what if” thoughts.
We have the choice every day to look at our circumstances through pessimistic or optimistic lenses. I challenge each of you to strive for optimism. Simply looking at the positives in life and God’s blessings can change our entire outlook and daily mood. Ultimately, it can change who we are as a person. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) tells us to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” When I catch myself slipping into negative thinking, I open my Bible or talk to God. He always finds a way to bring me back to the light.
In California, God wasted no time helping me figure out my purpose. I quickly took leadership roles in our new church and in a community Bible Study. I knew God’s purpose for me was to share His teaching.. He had opened doors and I chose to say YES even though I felt underqualified! In return, God blessed me with a new village of Christian support for my family! The work I was doing was completely of God not of my own doing. My life verse in California was Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) and it tells us “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” God gave me the words to say and guided my actions to help me teach and lead others to Christ. The biggest blessing was getting to watch a few women choose to be baptized. There is no worldly thing that comes close to the joy this brings.
We were finally in a routine when we received a set of military orders a year earlier than expected. We would be moving to Okinawa, Japan with our now five, three, and one year old children. When I found out, I was literally in shock. I was silent for a few minutes and then quickly moved forward to trusting God remembering all that He had done in the past.
Now that we are in Japan, we are watching God’s plans unfold in miraculous ways. The opportunity to live on a beautiful island across the world is something I had not pictured for our family. With our time here, we are blessed to meet and share the gospel with many people and we can see why God has us here at this exact moment of our lives. The process of getting settled is always a challenge. We really had to rely on Psalm 32:8 (NIV) to get us through. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” With God’s constant support we somehow felt at peace through it all; even flying into a new country to live in a hotel for almost a month with three little children, no car and only our airport luggage.
Living overseas in Okinawa is filled with challenges, but also has many opportunities to do God’s work. I pray I can stay focused on God and reach out to other women and moms who are going through similar things.
I pray wherever you are and whatever your circumstances, you choose to look up, listen, and follow God’s lead. When times get tough, lean on God. Open your Bible. When it’s time to celebrate, praise God! He is there for us in every situation and is the ONLY one who can truly understand what we are going through.
xoxo
Jessica Kujawski
Jessica K. is a military spouse, mom to three, and a teacher who loves working with children and serving the community around her. She is an avid traveler and lover of any outdoor adventures. She and her family are currently living in Okinawa, Japan, and enjoying the island life! Follow Jessica and her adventures on FB!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)