It's been a while since I've found something that resonated in my heart so much as the documentary, A Journey Home. Not that we're planning a move to Amish territory, but there's no question we've been inspired...seen something that felt...right.
A Journey Home beautifully captures the Waller family's transition from main stream USA to a quiet secluded life with their (5 then), now 11 children when they responded to God's call for change. They didn't know exactly what they were being prepared for when they ventured into the unknown, but what they did know was that God was prompting them to hone in on seeking His will, shepherding and strengthening their family biblically, worshipping Him zealously, and arming up for His mission for their lives intentionally by being chiseled down, refined.
Watching this family interact with one another on their farm, paying attention to the look of innocence in the eyes of the older boys/young men as they gently carry a baby sister or speak admiringly of their mom and dad, soaking in the deep LOVE and humility that exudes from each individual is stunning. Grasping the move they made and their submission to be used/usable by God for whatever His purpose should be is motivating. After many years of living a simple life in an Amish environment, raising their children counterculturally to become kingdom workers of strength and conviction, the Wallers began to see what God had been preparing them for.
Today, ALL of the Wallers (including their older married children and grandchildren) live and work amongst the Jewish farmers of Israel, sharing life with those they hope to reach for Christ, showing them through living example the Jesus they love and serve. That's their mission, their platform to share and embody the gospel. They help the farmers reap their literal harvest as they labor for a spiritual harvest...it's fitting. Their family has found themselves living the ministry God had been grooming them for in their years of "retreat and regroup" and He knew all along.
The Waller's story sounds fairly similar to the life story we've written in our hearts and heads for our own family more than a thousand times. Certainly we have some differences in beliefs, convictions, and lifestyle choices, but the general principals that drive this family's heart to action and their faith in Jesus Christ and love for Him which fuels their drive to love others with His love...are the same. And, that's what matters most.
Though we've yet to see our next move, our next chapter, our hearts long to prepare our own family to arm up and be chiseled down in order to prepare for our God-given mission(s). We take this quest very seriously every day, right here, right now where God has us for this momentary season of time, and we await His future plans...remaining open to change.
Whether you've ever thought of similar ideas for your family or even if you think everything I've just described sounds completely absurd, I've no doubt you'll be blessed and intrigued by the alluring documentary, A Journey Home. God uses infinite catalysts of influence to prune and mold His children, and in this case we've been stirred by one family's striving to love Him intensely and serve Him wholeheartedly through loving and serving their family and others in this inspirational story.
"And [Jesus] said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Matthew 22:37-39
