Christian Living

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We rushed and packed the last of our treasures. We loaded our piano onto the back of a U-Haul trailer. We moved them from Page to a mini-storage in Flagstaff, Arizona. After a year, we thought, we can come back and enjoy our possessions again.

Why did we hurry so? We had to move out that day or pay another month's rent.
Where were we going? On weekends we had endeavored to build a work with the Navajo Indian and found the Navajos took their weekend exodus just like the white man. We hastened preparations to go on deputation--speaking to churches and thereby seeking to raise enough support to work fulltime on the Navajo field.

How did I feel about this move? I had mixed feelings. I had learned to love the Navajo people and my heart churned as I thought of leaving them. On the other hand, since they exited on the weekend, I, as well as Leon, wanted to work fulltime on the reservation. In no other way could we reach our beloved people.

However, time passed by and our home church changed their doctrinal position. We received no missionary support unless we found another church. This meant Leon, my husband, had to find work to provide for his family. We moved to Dallas, Texas where he could find a job.

For six years our stuff stayed in storage in Flagstaff. We slept on narrow mattresses, couch cushions and pads. The church gave us furniture.

At last Mom paid a mover to move our stuff from Flagstaff to Dallas. In the interval the Lord weaned my heart away from material values.

Leon prayed about what the Lord wanted him to do, but he received no clear guidance. The Lord's thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are His ways our ways. God had a plan for Leon's life that He could not yet reveal.

Three and one-half more years went by and on June 22, 1987, the Lord called my husband home. In August we had planned to move to Cortez, Colorado. Leon had two burdens: the Navajo people and Colorado mountain towns without a gospel witness.

“Lord, what do you have for me,” I prayed. Surely it will take much time of waiting upon the Lord before I know His will, I thought. About a week after Leon's body was laid in a grave, God spoke to me through a sermon. Now I knew God's ministry for me.

“Lord, shall I return to Montrose, Colorado where my folks live or elsewhere?” I prayed. I planned to rent an apartment in Dallas until I had assurance of God's leading. Again the Lord had different plans for me as He impressed upon me that I should return to Montrose at once.

I flew to Montrose right away and left all my belongings behind. Monroe, my brother-in-law, said “I will take care of them.” He did his best, but everything did not fit into his vehicle. All my furniture stayed in Dallas. In this way God continued the weaning process.

At first I lived in a small trailer and furnished it with secondhand beds. Mom helped me furnish my place. When my brother gave me a computer, we bought a computer desk.

Through these experiences I am learning with Paul to be content in whatsoever state I am. God wants to teach me that my life consists of much more than that which I possess.


Excerpt from Lynn’s book, Our Lifeship: Studies in Proverbs for Women, © 2008, Lynn Wallace. Ambassador Emerald International published this book. They have offices in Greenville, South Carolina and Belfast, Ireland. See Lynn’s bio, information about her book and speaking at www.writingfrommyheart.com.

Lynn and her late husband, Leon, served as missionaries to the Navajo. After the Lord took her beloved home, He called her to write for Him. Over eighty of her articles found publication. Accent Curriculum published two of her curriculum packages. Lynn enjoys reading, watching wildlife, artwork, and jeeping in the Rocky mountains. Lynn plays the piano for Canyon View Baptist Church. Leon and Lynn had one daughter, Lynette. She seeks to build up her Mary Kay business while she finishes college.

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