Meeting new people in college is always fun but when the question of “Where are you from?” comes up, I never have a solid answer. Growing up my family and I moved every few years due to my dad’s job. To give you a picture of what this looked like, growing up I have moved eight times between seven states and attended nine different schools. Because of constantly moving while growing up, I don’t have a place that I call “home.” Don’t feel sorry for me, though, moving has shaped me into the person I am today. Moving has taught many lessons, so here are 5 of them
1. Seize every opportunity
Moving every couple of years taught me to seize every opportunity. In my situation, I had about two years in each place, I had to make the best of it. I learned to be intentional in every part of my life. I’ve learned that every person I meet, every team I’m on, every club I’m in is a mission field. With such limited time in a certain place, you make the most of it and take every opportunity you have to love someone like Jesus, you might be the only person to show them Christ’s love.
2. How to be flexible in every situation
Growing up, we never knew when we would have to move next. There have been times where we had to pick up and move across the country in the middle of the school year. After moving all of the time, I feel as though the little road blocks stay little, just adjust your path and it all works out, no need to stress over life’s little problems.
3. Friendships are to be cherished
With moving every few years, you lose touch with friends, it comes with the territory. The time you have with friends is limited so spend every second wisely — do everything you guys talk about doing together, even the small things. Cherish every little moment with your friends because one day, you could be living halfway across the country from each other and you will miss them.
4. The importance of family
Moving to a new place means you don’t know anyone. When you first get to a new place, the only friends you have are your family. I’ll never forget the days spent in a new house with my parents and siblings eating pizza on the floor and having sleepovers in our sleeping bags because our furniture had not gotten to our new house yet. Sometimes, family is all you have, and you realize family is all you really need. In those tough moments of being alone in a new place my family was always there for me. Family is so important, hug them tight and keep them close, always.
5. Everything happens according to God’s plan
Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Moving is hard and frustrating but, no matter what happens or where my family and I end up, we know it was all part of God’s plan. The way I grew up was not easy by any means, but it was worth it.
Even if you didn’t grow up moving around, I pray that these lessons I’ve learned can apply to your life, live life to the fullest, you never know when things could change.
