WHILE LIVING IN EGYPT

Fort Worth has been my own personal "Land of Egypt" in many ways.  I left my "Promised Land" of Ruston, which I will always consider home, and moved to the foreign country of Fort Worth.  Leaving behind all I was familiar with and took for granted, I moved to the land of different.  Different is not always bad--it is exactly that- not the same but different.  Some things have been extremely difficult--leaving behind a lifetime of friends, the feeling of being invisible, the family I left behind, the loss of church family, and the wonderful sense of the familiarity of being known.  Walking in any store in town and always knowing someone--the random hugs--the waves and smiles--and the ability to look to and count on your neighbors.  There have also been the positives of the foreign country--Joseph was a citizen of Egypt and greeted his family upon their arrival--so I have been greeted with the love of #1 Daughter, Dr. SIL and their clan.  I am always greeted with upraised hands and hugs of some little munchkin.  The availability of so much which only comes with living in the big city.  It has been a challenge, but I am learning to make bricks and on some days make bricks with less straw.  There is always something to be learned in each new life experience.  Some days the lessons are more difficult than we think we can endure, but the sun always comes up tomorrow and our hope lies in the sure knowledge of God's awareness of where we are living.  I remind myself that Jesus fled to the land of Egypt as did God's Chosen People--God sometimes sends us to the "Land of Egypt."


Many of you are living in your own "Land of Egypt".  A foreign land where you have not only never lived, but in some cases may have had no desire to dwell within.  The land of loss of precious loved ones from death, the land of life threatening or perhaps terminal illness, the land of no job, the land of life altering handicaps, the land of delusion, depression, or dejection, and on and on.  Leaving the familiar and comfortable and embarking upon the journey to the different.  When plunged into your own personal "Land of Egypt", what are you to do?  How do you learn to make bricks much less face the possibility of less straw?  There is only one way to face the foreign country--only one hope when days seem hopeless--one strong and certain tower of strength while living in the unfamiliar--one way to face the bondage of fear--and HE is faithful.  He abides with you whereever you dwell--even in the Land of Egypt.

And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt
Matthew 2:14

13 comments

  1. being invisible can be a hard one. i love the sense of familiarity that comes in living in one place for a long time.

    but sometimes being anonymous really works, ya know?

    the bricks with straw spoke to me, Lulu. i'll be sitting with your words as I make my way through this busy day.

    hugs, friend.

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    1. The Upside of invisibility--no one looks at how you look!

      Making bricks today, Friend!

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  2. Hi Lulu! What a tender hearted post...I feel for your living in Egypt. Leaving what you knew and moving on. That's so hard. I'm so glad you have your daughter and her family to keep you grounded. It's such a testament to your faith that you keep on 'making bricks' even when there isn't much straw around. You are a wonderful role model for me.
    I guess my Egypt was when my mom died...when my husband lost his job (again)...when friends move away. God knew all about it of course, so I know he'll make me whole bit by bit, brick by brick.
    Thank you for sharing your heart,
    Ceil

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    1. Such a powerful imagery God gave us of making bricks. It hit me like a ton of bricks this very week-what He was teaching us with the bricks, Ceil. You will always miss your mom, but I pray the warm memories will be a balm to your grieving heart.
      Blessings, Friend!

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  3. Maybe because I never felt at home where I grew up (long story), my first move was very welcome. I was on my own and loved it! Never looked back. I do understand what you mean, though. I've had that "Land Of Egypt" feeling occasionally when visiting with my husband's family. Fortunately, I'm good at making bricks. They make wonderful impenetrable walls. ~:)

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    1. Ah Sparky I suspect you have your home country- it may just have tighter boundaries & there is nothing wrong with that! And I might add making bricks is an honorable profession !
      blessings!

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  4. Relocating at a "Mature" age when all your children are grown makes it even more difficult to meet people let a lone form new friendships. When you have children you meet people because of them but when it is just yourself you quickly find that the "hoods" we live in today are not like the "hoods of old" where people were much more friendly and approachable. Now days they push their garage openers enter their "safe haven" and close the world behind as they close the garage door. Society has changed and not so much for the good I believe. When you move to a new town the people you meet often have their own circle of friends and have little interest in adding to that circle. It is quite like living in Egypt.

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    1. I have NOT given up, Ronny! There has to be others who are feeling the same thing I am and I pray God sends them my way!

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  5. For some reason, you had to leave where you once lived and moved to where you are now. God willed it.

    Think of it another way. How many new pople have you met now whose lives you may well have influenced by the way you live, by who you are, and the way you behave. You may well be a role model for many to emulate without you even knowing it. With your move, a lot of people have had the opportunity to get to know you and enjoy your company.

    God bless.

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    1. Always on a positive note, Victor, thank you! I am where God sent me--so I am going to keep making bricks and looking for the joy!
      Blessings!

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  6. Hi! I'm Jenny Juneau and just moved to Fort Worth from ruston! I believe you are friends with some women who I used to attempt to ride bikes with! We are renovating a home in the Arlington heights neighborhood off camp Bowie. This is def my Egypt! Nice to know someone else from home is in my new town!!

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  7. I used to attempt to ride bikes with---I lived that statement also, Jenny! I could NEVER keep up with that bunch and quit trying! I live in Mistletoe Heights which is very close to you. I am available for any information, etc you might need. My Facebook is under Loralu James Conville--please request friend status and we can communicate from there or send an email to the address on the top right side of my blog. Egypt can be nice---but I believe we have to be the one to make it nice! Glad you contacted me! Welcome to Fort Worth!

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!