I drove home through the back roads this morning from a “glampout” at a friends cabin just over the Missouri line. Over train tracks and bridges and even a few gravel roads. Rain clouds were gathering in the west as I sipped coffee from a Casey’s cup, choosing to drive a few miles under the speed limit instead of over per the usual. I swear the very air felt holy, once again like God’s presence oozing out the pores of summer. Around every corner, in every field, blazoned across the sky and in the coolness in the breeze.

It is June 12th. Exactly 10 years ago tonight we pulled into this corner of southeast Kansas loaded down with baggage, both literally and figuratively. I thought I had missed the anniversary somehow, even though we’ve been talking about it all year. I wanted to have this well thought out post of reflection ready to go for this day. But instead, just like every single day since we arrived in our new home, God just showed up as I went from one place to another and then reminded me of who He is. I’m so grateful I slowed down and actually listened this morning.

Isaiah 30:21

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
“This is the way; walk in it.”

My word for 2015 is walk and I just now connected this verse with it, even though it has been a signpost for us in the decade we have lived in Kansas. These words, like so many in the Word, echo loud and strong in my heart each time I read them.

As I look back over the past 10 years, there have days upon months upon seasons that didn’t feel like walking. More like a stumbling, hobbling, crawling. But between those awkward and uncoordinated steps, there were also some surer strides, some light jogging and maybe even a few sprints. Regardless of what the movement forward has looked like, one thing in this decade has remained consistently the same:

The faithful and consistent voice of God pushing us on in the places He has called us.

I am so glad that God is able to take our small stumbling steps of faith and connect them together into the story of our lives.

Out of all the blessings I could list that have come out of the one giant step we made toward Kansas, the biggest is realizing that all the good stuff hasn’t been about us, but about Him. He just keeps showing up in all nooks and crannies of our step by step lives. To recognize His presence has been ultimate gift of grace.

I want to write more stories about this process. Of some times we felt certain we had walked straight off a cliff. Of the dark and lonely winters of sky and soul.  Of the incredibly beautiful people and situations God has used to sharpen and encourage and breathe life along the way.

But it starts and ends always with the eternal faithfulness of God.

No doubt our trail has twisted and turned and meandered with a few u-turns because we ignored the voice behind us. But what sweet relief to look backward over our shoulders and be certain that His voice can be trusted.  And if we listen, that voice leads us in the right direction toward His glory.

 Psalm 115:1

Not to us, Lord, not to us
    but to your name be the glory,
    because of your love and faithfulness.