This Thanksgiving was the hardest I’ve ever experienced. I hadn’t felt this much grief since my dad passed away in 2019. I knew that being without my children this year would be particularly challenging, especially with the seasonal changes here in Atlanta. To preempt the sadness that threatened to consume me, I decided to escape the chill of both the weather and my grief by spending time in Miami.
On my flight home, I was asked if I liked living in Atlanta. I hesitated before responding, and my silence seemed to speak volumes. The person then said, "I'm sorry if that’s a loaded question." The truth is, that question was far more loaded than my baked potatoes.
Living in Atlanta has been an interesting experience. I remember how excited I was to leave Dallas; it felt like the beginning of a new chapter, a fresh start, and a chance to get things right. What I didn’t fully consider was how easy it is to leave but how difficult it can be to adjust to a new place. Leaving often feels like a knee-jerk reaction to disappointment: I’m angry—I'm leaving. I’m sad—I'm leaving. This isn’t what I expected—I'm leaving. But leaving simply means turning away from a particular person, place, or situation. Here’s where it gets complicated: now that I’ve left, where do I go? That’s been my struggle with Atlanta. It’s an awkward gray area, as I mentioned in a previous blog. It’s the space I’ve entered after leaving, filled with questions of uncertainty, doubt, and fear. At times, this makes me wonder if leaving was the right decision.
It was much easier for me to speak from a place of familiarity, to show up and share a message. But my new assignment is to empower you to thrive in this in-between space. If you don’t, you may never reach the place that makes leaving behind what was familiar necessary. Pastor Dharius Daniels defined thriving as doing the best you can in the season you’re in with the resources you have available.
We often quote Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to give you hope and a future." But remember, the exiles' first instruction was to learn how to thrive right where they were. Jeremiah 29:7 states, "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
We have a mandate to thrive, even in that in-between season.
So, do I love Atlanta? No, and I’m not meant to. If I loved it, I wouldn’t be open to what’s next for me. Do I hate it? No, because if I did, I would miss out on everything I’m supposed to learn and experience while I’m here. That’s what the wilderness is about. It’s about breaking free from the familiar to build the strength and courage to pursue what you’ve never seen before. Do you know how much courage it takes to chase after something unknown? A lot. A whole lot.
I choose joy.
I firmly believe that with God you can thrive in any season of your life, even if that season feels heartbreaking. If you’re struggling to thrive in your wilderness, I invite you to join us on December 28th at the TEA Party, where you will find community and guidance on how to navigate this challenging season. We are offering 30% off of early registration with promo code wild.
Register here. See you soon!
I love this: "doing the best you can in the season you’re in with the resources you have available".