Girl goes to college. Sees boy in her classes. Thinks he is interesting. Intriguing. Boy knows girl in college. Thinks nothing of the friendship until one email years later – after grad school. One request would change everything, really.
“Hi, it’s me. A girl you knew in college. I’m coming to New York City to visit with a friend and I wanted to know if I could stay with you for a few nights. No pressure. Just a visit.”
Weekend in New York resulted in hours of good conversation. A few days of exploring the City together as … just friends. Endless thoughts and giddy excitement about a slight possibility that this just might be someone who would be special … for life.
Nine months of dating long distance – girl in Austin, Texas and boy in New York City. Nine months of being engaged long distance and planning futures.
Girl dreamed of a house in Austin, family just close enough to see but far enough to feel an independent life, Mexican food for days, sweet southern comforts. Boy asked if that dream could start in New York City. Through tears, girl said OK. Left southern comforts. Left family. Left the dream – the first dream. Went through major transition living 1400 miles away from everything familiar. Scrambled to find herself in this big City. Experienced insecurity like never before. Questioned much. Doubted much. Experienced wilderness. Struggled to find God anywhere. Loneliness. Deep sadness. Transitioned into the marriage chapter with a rocky beginning. Longed for greener pastures.
One and a half years after living here, boy and girl got news that a friend Pastor was moving up to the City to start a church. Pause. Silence. Prayer and more prayer. Answer after answer. Water in the dessert. Boy and girl feel confident this may just be why God brought them through the past several years. Sell car, sell condo in NJ, move into the City six months pregnant. The “I’ll Never’s” started to really add up. The trusting really started. The unrecognizable lives start being lived. The unplanned. The undreamed started to become reality. Years pass, second child comes. Grace upon grace is bestowed. Church grows from 15 to nearly 500. Provision after provision is experienced. God’s face is sought and found in the most unlikely of places and situations. He was near after all.
***
In December 2011, the Sullivan family will call New York City home for the 8th year. Raising children in the City, leaving the corporate world identity for full-time motherhood, embracing a missional life in an urban setting. All was completely not on the radar nor ever in the "the plan". Oh, but gratitude flows. Much has been lost and even more has been gained. Not in the world’s terms, but in joy and peace and trust and faith and well – in losing myself.
I see now that God brought me here to save me from myself. His abundant grace on display. I wouldn’t trade it. Wouldn’t have chosen it, wouldn’t want to do it again, but would never trade it knowing the fruit produced from raw and real pruning. I’m still living it: pain and gratitude; joy and tears; more letting go; more wrestling than embracing at times. It is a continual cycle and each day I feel a different emotion about it all, and you will read about it here.
In Psalm 23, we are reminded that God is our Shepherd and He doesn’t suggest, but makes us lie down in green pastures and He leads us to quiet and still waters. He really does desire our best, for His namesake. Greener pastures aren’t found in ourselves or somewhere else. They are found in Christ. Peace. Joy. Fulfillment. Strength. Rest. It’s in Him.
If He has given us Himself, in His son - Jesus - how will He with Himself, not freely and generously give us all things? That's what this is about.
If He has given us Himself, in His son - Jesus - how will He with Himself, not freely and generously give us all things? That's what this is about.
And that is … well, His Story. We are just thankful to be apart of it living in New York City.
