Balance is a pretty regular conversation here in the Pyne home. See, we all compete in Ninja…. most obstacles include either hanging… or balancing… or both. Balance is quite literally part of our daily routine from youngest to oldest.
But lately, my heart has struggled with finding a different point of balance, all stemming from a prayer we prayed a few years back.
In the fall of 2019, we were in a crazy point in life. We’d moved back to PA from Asheville, NC… and were struggling to find rhythm. John got – what seemed at the time to be – a crazy job offer in DC, one that would require us to move there. We started praying the “anything” prayer… “God… anything you put in front of us, help us follow it. We don’t know what it is, and things don’t make sense, but we’ll try to follow.”
The job felt right. The moving didn’t feel right. We didn’t feel called to sell our house and uproot. Not understanding, we prayed and moved forward – what would become a theme after wards. We rented a home in McLean, VA while keeping our home in PA. Little did we know what we all know now, that a few months later, the world would shut down, then become remote, indefinitely. We never sold our house because we weren’t meant to. We were able to shelter at home. John’s opportunity would become remote, then a few years later (where we are now), would change altogether.
Since then, there’s been a lot of “doesn’t make sense” in our life… but we try to move forward. John bought into a Ninja Warrior and Parkour gym with a few friends. The sport grew in our lives to the point that John just filmed for the next season of American Ninja Warrior in Vegas (will air in 2025), and our oldest hopes to follow a similar path when he’s old enough to compete next year. John took a new role with the parent company of his old company, which is headquartered in Manhattan, and requires frequent travel… a new shift for us in terms of keeping up with activities for this “I’m an introvert who loves being at home” mama. We became involved with two important organizations in board roles. My job picked up the travel requirements. Another kiddo started half-day school. Bones broke. Schedules shifted. Kids’ needs and goals shifted – and one switched sports altogether!
Life took so many twists and turns that it doesn’t even surprise us any more when a new twist pops up. We pray for clarity in whether we proceed. Then we proceed.
Right now we’re in the same place with the place that has been home to our hearts since before we even moved there – Western North Carolina. This weekend was a busy one – my birthday. A kiddo’s bestie’s birthday. A surprise party for a friend of ours. And yet – that pull to our mountain home community was so strong that we knew John needed to go. We acknowledged the craziness. Prayed. Then crafted a logistics plan that keeps us each sane – but also allows our kids to thrive, grow, and breathe where God seems to have planted them for now – here in PA.
We don’t know what this pull means for the future, but right now we seek truth and most of all, his presence through it all.
Tiring yes. Overwhelming? No.
As someone who’s easily overwhelmed, it’s funny to say I’m not overwhelmed. In fact… people sometimes look at me like a crazy person when I say I’m not. The thing is: the peace that passes understanding that God promises when we open our hearts to him and cast our cares on him is real.
I can’t explain it beyond that.
Our God can move mountains. He ordains places and times and works to be done in advance of us even knowing they could exist. He orchestrates connections through all eternity that we may never see on this side of heaven. And most poignant to me in this current stage of life, he holds us in the palm of his hand while he does it. He promises that we’re on a path that all we need to do is show obedience in following.
And when we do? Exhaustion on a physical level? Maybe. But peace? Always.
I hope that encourages you the way it encourages me. God’s there. His plan is for his eternal good. His graciousness extends straight to our hearts. And he’s there. Look up, friend, keep breathing, rest in the hands that built universes: he built you for a purpose too.
Take Two 
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