There has been a great disturbance in the Force around here this spring/summer.
We have a grandson!
We’re in love…
In January, Bruce brought up the idea of relocating so we could be closer to him (I didn’t argue), we’re currently 4 hrs away. On the heels of that suggestion came this,
“It’s too bad Detroit isn’t a better city”
We love Chicago…it’s such a beautiful city. Despite our crime statistics (I see those raised eyebrows!) it’s still one of the best big cities to live in – anywhere. And as I’ve said before, we’ve never doubted that this is where we were meant to move. It’s changed us in eternal ways.
But Detroit????
On the plus side, it’s an hour away from Evan so we could have a lot more time with him. We could ‘help’ more. Don’t have to stay over night. Get to see him more often, and be around for all the milestones.
But Detroit????
Why not move closer, like Toledo?
Cuz Toledo has been co-opted by hipsters
I did some research, and of course I looked at churches. I have no idea how people find churches without the internet! In the olden days we visited by denomination and usually stuck to what we knew. Today, it’s anyone’s guess as to what’s behind those doors. And all the non denom denoms! Anyone ever see John Christ’s FaceBook bits about guessing if the title is a church or cannibas dispensary?
Scary!
Anyhow, Once I went through the statement of beliefs, mission statements, and the staff profiles I picked one church’s Sunday sermon to listen to while I made bucket hats.
Bucket hats, along with eyes spy jackets, are my life right now…they’re my post pandemic attempt to use up mask fabric. However, scraps are breeders and everyday I wake up to more of them.
The sermon made enough of an impression that we decided to visit the church in March when we went to Evan’s baby shower. I kind of grumbled to the Lord that it would be nice if someone asked us to lunch after service, and BTW, “If you want us to move there maybe they could have a good real estate agent for us to talk to.”
Done and done, before we sat down for service
At lunch we learned that Detroit is suffering from extreme abandonment. It once had 2 million people and is now about 700,000. Entire city blocks have been demolished, buildings abandoned and homes leveled. The largest land owner is the city itself, as so many properties have been handed over to the banks.
Both couples that we lunched with were products of the Jesus movement of the 70’s and native Detroit residents. One had pastored the church we visited, for a number of years. And though both are retired, they are still active in Kingdom work, volunteerism and community service.
It spoke to us…
As we headed home in a kind of spiritual stupor, I told Bruce,
“I guess God really hears me when I grumble”
And we agreed that even if we didn’t move there we were greatly encouraged by the experience. We also knew that there were loose ends in IL to tie up. A home in the suburbs to sell and a job for Bruce that allowed him to work anywhere. His current job had become so untenable that he was already looking for a new one.
Our small group was already praying about the job thing. One of our members said that we needed to pray that he would find something he loved rather than settling for something to pay the bills. Kind of a big ask at his age!
But ask we did!
We kept sensing that teaching was going to be part of this new job. We weren’t sure in what capacity or how. I even suggested applying to the Detroit public schools, or maybe the colleges in the city, the need is great.
God had other plans
Finally, Bruce had enough. He gave his notice and worked his last day May 13th. He was fielding about 20 job inquiries daily and had no time to follow through. We figured we’d be jobless for a few months but the next week he received an inquiry from a consulting firm. They were incredibly impressed with his resume’, looking for new consultants to ‘train’ their clients in Microsoft software and would he be interested? And their home office is in Farmington Hills MI, right outside of’
Detroit…
I asked Bruce if training is like teaching, just to be sure it was in line with the direction we were sensing…
He started on June 1st
Currently he’s working from home – the norm today. However, the 3 new employees they hired in Chicago may be receiving relocation offers soon. And the company sent him for some valuable Microsoft certifications.
So far so good
We’ve been sharing our story with friends and each time we’re reminded that full surrender allows for the supernatural to become natural. We call it Normal Christianity. In one of our weakest seasons, God has faithfully led and and answered our requests.
I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that the house sale/purchase is going to have some otherworldly details too!
I’ll keep you posted…
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