Well, I have arrived in VA and am staying with a former parishioner in Leesburg.

I close on my new home today. My car arrives today, having been transported across the country on the back of a big rig. The moving van comes tomorrow (Tuesday) with all my worldly possessions. (Thank God that in death we finally get to leave it all behind!) And on Friday my family arrives, which is really all that really matters to me in this move from CA to VA -- that they get here safe and sound and open to the fullness of blessing God has prepared for us from before the foundation of the world.

Now that I am actually beginning to get a feel for the lay of the land, I have a new appreciation of what the Lord said to Abram so long ago:

"Go from your country, your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you. In you all the nations of the earth will be blessed."

How does a guy from CA allow the Lord to disclose a new land to him? Even when the new land is VA? The challenge, I think, is to open the eyes of my heart to see the land as God sees the land. Where is the blessing -- that abundance with which God has already filled the land? Where is the need -- that place where God has called me to be the blessing, to bring my unique gifts, and perspectives and experiences.

My prayer these days is really quite simple:

Lord, show me the land you have already blessed with your abundance. Show me how I am to be a blessing.

So far God's response in prayer has also been rather simple as well. From out of the depths of the cosmos, I hear the still small voice speaking without ambiguity or confusion. Jesus stands with a warm smile on his face and with open arms.

Welcome home.