Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Pros and Cons (08/14/14)
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TITLE: Will I? Won't I? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Fiona Stevenson
08/19/14 -
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“Will I? Won’t I?”
These questions, with variations, buzzed around my consciousness and rendered my subconsciousness uneasy through the days and weeks as 1979 gave way to 1980. The decision to emigrate was already made for the sake of our younger children who faced no security with the winds of change tearing apart the political future of our homeland. No decision was taken without discussion and prayer because every decision involved the family as a whole. Now we had come to the step of making the application for permission to migrate to Australia.
This was my sticking point.
Australia was on the other side of my world and the more I thought about it the less I wanted to make the move. Perhaps it would have been the same no matter what the destination but Australia was the destination and I did not want to make the move. Mine was a voiceless objection: we had to make a move.
In my personal prayer time I asked the Lord God to make His direction clear. Looking back I realise that I was hoping for the experience Paul the Apostle had when they “were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.” Substitute Australia for Asia. I later learned that our teenage boys were going through a similar time of doubt and questioning, but they discussed these things with each other while I faced my dilemma alone, afraid of bringing dissension to the family discussion or prayer times.
The paperwork, the formalities, the legalities were completed and complied with until in early 1980 the permission was granted for our migration within a specified period. Now the questions intensified while we divided the household items between the married sons we would be leaving behind. When should I book the flight? What items would we need immediately we arrived? Which things should be sent as unaccompanied baggage?
Booking the flight was a major decision. Finally I decided to lay a fleece before the Lord, just as Gideon did. Even that was an indecisive decision: was this a case of emotional cowardice, or a lack of faith? The action had a Bible precedent but still I hesitated. Should I or shouldn’t I? Was I prepared to accept the consequences after all?
We had an electric typewriter to sell. The first advertisement was in a Sunday paper. My fleece was that the typewriter would sell and I would have the money in my hand by seven a.m. We had an early church meeting to attend. At ten minutes to seven there was a phone call. I gave the caller directions and turned to the family waiting breathlessly for the news.
“He’s coming to see it, but he will never get here by seven from where he is.”
Case closed.
The purchaser walked out with the typewriter and I stood bemused in the doorway with the money in my hand. It was one minute to seven o’clock.
On Monday I visited the travel agent. The flights were booked. At the end of June we left our erstwhile homeland, our loved ones, everything that was dear and familiar. We left knowing that there would be no return; that no matter what we might consider to be in favour of the move or against it, there would be no turning back.
The people of God met us in Australia, welcoming us. The Holy Ghost opened the doors as we came to them. We found that we were not forbidden to preach the Word of God in Australia. For every difficulty that we faced the Lord made a way of escape. I love the beautiful land of my birth. I love that precious homeland where I met Jesus Christ as my Saviour and my Lord. But God is not confined to a land or a continent. He is the God of Everywhere and He has provided a home for me, for my husband and for three sons in the land on the other side of the world. The third son joined us later, bringing his wife and son with him.
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I enjoyed this thank you.
God bless~
I noticed in some spots, you tended to repeat some words like move and discuss. By tightening the sentences, you can avoid that repetition. Example: The more I thought about it, I realized Australia was a long way from home, from everything familiar. Perhaps it would have been the same no matter what the destination, but Australia was it, and I didn't want to move. Mine was a voiceless objection; we had to leave.
I really liked the line about God being everywhere. There is such truth in that statement, yet, I think it can be easy to forget it in this crazy world. I like the way you tackled the topic and showed how God not only followed you to the other side of the world, but he was there waiting for you too. He had great plans all the time. There are some great messages in this piece. Nicely done.