In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
Six years ago, Jeff and I packed up our little love shack in Wauwatosa, WI and moved to Madison, WI to begin his surgical training at the University of Wisconsin. We were confidant we would return one day to the city of (my) birth, the city where we met, fell in love, and married, home of the mighty Brewers, Marcus Amphitheater, State Fair, Miller Brewery AND our families. Milwaukee was home.
Then, a funny little thing happened half way through Jeff's intern year. We started to meet people. Good people who would become our friends. Friends who would become our family. No longer would our social calendar be limited to trips to Target (Please don't even ask how often I frequented Target our first year in Madison. Let' just say we were tight.) and day trips to Milwaukee. Slowly but surely, Madison started to feel like home.
And, then an even funnier thing happened. We became pregnant. Ten months later, our baby girl was born, and we brought her home. Twenty months later, we brought home a son. As the amount of space in our town home diminished, our affection for this new city grew. And, when the time came to turn our keys over to a new owner, there was no denying it, this transitional city had become our home.
Fast forward six months and we find ourselves in yet another new city, half way through a year long fellowship. With Jeff's training nearing completion, the time has come to make some decisions. Adult decisions. Decisions many, if not most, of our friends have already had to make, but we have eluded because becoming a doctor conveniently allows you to postpone many of life's big decisions. The fact that I began my career at 22 and am already retired (?), and my dear husband has yet to begin his, might provide you with the necessary perspective on the matter.
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plan to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
For the past year, Jeff has been interviewing for various positions in and around the Midwest. Knowing that proximity to family was a priority, he has concentrated his search in the great state of Wisconsin. In January of this year, he was blessed to be the proud and very fortunate recipient of not one, but two contracts from medical groups in (...wait for it...) Madison and Milwaukee. We immediately identified the blessing of having two job opportunities, and the possibility of returning home. However, it was now a matter of which "home" we wanted to return to.
Oh, and did I mention that in the midst of all of this, my sweet academic of a husband decided he would like to tack on a few extra months of training, so he applied for a six month micro surgery fellowship in Milwaukee? At this point (fourteen years in), what's six more months? Am I right, or am I right? So, I gave him the green light.
At this point it became clear that we had a lot on our table, a few balls in the air, and it was best that we got on our knees to commence in some serious praying. We invited a few of our close friends and family to join us in our focused supplication. Just days after receiving the Milwaukee contract, I received an email from Jeff. In it, he identified the challenge of choosing one city over the other and prayed, "that the radiance of heaven would shine down upon one contract, while the other simultaneously burst into flames." (Seriously, and we wonder why our daughter has a flare for the dramatic.) I kid you not, within five days of receiving the offer, Jeff received a phone call from the medical group in Milwaukee stating their need to "slow down and reevaluate." Thirty days later, they withdrew the contract. [Insert flames. Poof! Actually, it felt more like this.] "Be careful what you pray for, " Jeff jokingly remarked.
Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
In the moment, there seemed to be two obvious ways to respond to such news. Either we, a) pout and become discouraged or b) acknowledge that God had specifically answered our (dramatic) prayer request, and with thanksgiving submit to His continued (and faithful) guidance of our family. While tempted with the former, we went with the later. And, His peace that surpasses all human understanding filled our hearts and minds as we went about our week, processing this curve ball.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4:2
As the dust settled on our divine contractual explosion, the Lord continued to work in our hearts and minds, as well as those of our loving families back home who were working through their own disappointment. Never before (in our marriage) had we experienced such a direct (and slightly dramatic) answer to prayer. And, in the week that followed we marveled over the Lord's timing, attention, and direction.
Two weeks later, Jeff was offered the six month fellowship in Milwaukee, our family's very own consolation prize, a loving nod to the grandparents. (Thank you, Father.)
Talk about a whirlwind.
It appears we will be able to return home to Milwaukee for six months, and then have the opportunity to plant roots, settle down, find a home (with a yard and garage...hallelujah, sweet Jesus!) in a new city come January of 2013. We hope that city will be Madison, but that contract has yet to be signed. The doctor has decided to interview for a position in Pittsburgh next week. "A backup plan," he says. I'm just waiting on the Lord to confirm that.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7
