How to Process Your Deep Emotions When You Move
Every month we bring you the personal and encouraging story of someone who has been uprooted by a move.
Jan in Minnesota
My husband and I, with our children, moved to Minnesota after 13 years in Texas. Our two children were born in Texas and we had many special relationships. The move came together so fast, I had to hold on. God blessed the whole way as we had wonderful movers and a safe trip.
We unpacked together for a week, then my husband got busy at his job. Then … the disappointments came. We quickly learned that the house had been neglected and needed much repair. We also learned of environmental issues that would affect our quality of life. Then my husband’s two superiors who had hired him and were to be mentoring him retired.
Then … a copy of After the Boxes Are Unpacked arrived!!!!
It was a tremendous encouragement to me at just the right time. I was able to recognize that I was angry but wasn’t sure why. I kept asking God to take it from me. Then I realized it was from disappointment in so many ways. I also felt pressured because I was doing almost everything around the house along with directing a five-year-old and a nine-year-old on summer vacation.
I loved the way Susan was honest about her own experience and each day I looked forward to hearing from her as I read. Susan shared her heart, her experience, and her encouraging words. My husband and I discussed most of the chapters in the book. I told him what I was learning about myself, about us, and about moving.
I was already doing a lot of what they book says, which was encouraging, but I got new ideas too! Overall, I saw my attitude begin to change. I knew it needed to. I just needed a friend to talk me through it. I’m reading the book again because I want to hear more from Susan.
Now I am giving After the Boxes Are Unpacked to a friend who is moving this month. I’m praying it will bless her as well. It is such a good feeling to know that there are many women out there who have experienced the feelings of moving a family across the miles.
We are making some friends and I can tell that God is working to encourage us through the disappointments we have faced and we still know we are where He wants us to be. We left all our family behind, but, in today’s world, no one seems too far away with email and cell phones. We stay connected because we work at it.
My advice to moving women is voiced in After the Boxes Are Unpacked:
- Balance stress with exercise and rest.
- That 15-minute walk will do more for you than unpacking another box.
- Don’t expect your husband to fill all your needs.
- Everything a woman needs to do is found in God’s word.
- Keep honoring your husband.
- Communicate well and in loving words.
- Focus on parenting even if it means not getting anything else accomplished.
- Be kind and loving and extend a hand in friendship.
- Find Christian fellowship as soon as possible.
- Remember, the woman maintains and rebuilds the heart of the home.
- Take time to plant or pick flowers, bake a pie, or cook your family’s favorite.
- Keep walking by faith, not by sight, trusting Him for everything.