Grace in Movement

We’ve moved a lot.

In four years, Michael and I have moved into seven homes in three countries – from North Iraq to Jordan to Costa Rica.

It’s a whole process- beginning with the hunt for a new place to call home, making a decision – is the neighborhood good? Is a grocery store in walking distance? Do we like the furniture? Is there community nearby? Then, packing, moving, and settling. It feels as if a few good months pass before talk of change begins once more.

This time, I hope we stay put for a while.

Moving touches on the relational, the personal, physical and spiritual realms of our lives. It brings up expectations we weren’t aware of, and can result in a form of discontentment if we are not careful to flex muscles of grace.

This recent move to Costa Rica was a quick one. It was only in October that we decided to move, by December that we confirmed to which country, and in February that we sold and packed everything up and left.

Perhaps the greatest and most vague advice I received was to give myself grace. There was a seemingly endless list of “to do.” As soon as one step was complete, the next had already begun. It was a non-stop grind to feel settled in our new place.

But give myself grace? Give my husband grace? Give my toddler grace? How?

Grace for myself meant taking a guilt free night to relax and go to bed early. To not letting thoughts about what I should have done ruin my day. In my annoyance or Michael’s annoyance to give grace by taking a moment to repeat, “We’ve been through a lot. This is hard.”

When our toddler is throwing a tantrum, to recognize that more than just moving, she is going through developmental changes as well. Grace. Breathe. This is hard. We’ll be alright.

Rather than frustration – fun. A week after moving to Costa Rica we had to spend two days at a DHL facility, a big and shady ordeal. My twenty month old didn’t know the difference, and she was tired, so rather than rushing, we tried to make it fun along the way – an extra snack and some play outside in-between meetings did wonders.

We are still learning what it means to give grace – to live in grace. The same vague advice I received is now my go to for anyone asking advice for moving.  Start with grace, and from there, take one step at a time. Breathe.