Naked Eggs and Other Thoughts on Moving

First of all, what is a naked egg?  According to a description I found in a science experiment, a naked egg is an egg without its shell.  That makes sense, but what does that have to do with moving?

This week has been a blur of boxes and packing paper.  Our family has gotten a lot of sweet help in many different ways, but our heads are still spinning a bit.  Maybe because today was the slowest we’ve gone in a while, that is why so many emotions went haywire.

The kids have handled our move quite well, but I knew there would be some bumps along the way.  For one, I’ve noticed a greater quickness for both of them to get upset over seemingly small things.  Today, L (8 years old), started getting teary over a perceived injustice.  I sat and talked with him for a long time, and as he spoke, it came out that the greater issue was the move.  He doesn’t disagree with our family’s decision to move, he understands the reasons and benefits for all, but yes, there is grief.  I encouraged him to let it out, to keep talking as much as he wanted to, and to think of things we can do to help him.

After he had calmed down, his mind was clearer and he could see how much this change was getting to him.  Then, right in the middle of this rather heavy conversation, he blurted out something about vinegar and eggshells.  I had to laugh, because I can’t think of anyone else I know who would use such an example to describe stress!  I love the way he thinks.

I had to get him to explain.  Simply put, our move was having the effect on our mental and emotional stability that vinegar would have on an eggshell.  Vinegar is highly acidic, so it would break down that outer shell.  I couldn’t believe he had come up with such an accurate illustration!

As I was reading over the science experiment to better understand L’s example, I discovered something else interesting:  the shell might crack and come apart from the egg, but the egg’s membrane would stay intact.  By the end of the day, I think my shell was gone, in a million pieces on the floor.  I was a naked egg, so to speak.  If I continued to think figuratively, though, surely my membrane was still protecting me:  my faith in my savior Jesus and the protection of the Holy Spirit, through the grace of God the Father.

Because of that grace, when I turn with empty hands and a hungry heart, God will mend my “shell”.  What is your vinegar today?  What is threatening to break you down, to make you vulnerable?  When you feel like your shell has cracked or even broken completely off, do you know that there is no hurt that God can’t heal, and no challenge he can’t see you through?

Here is a link to the science experiment if anyone would like to read over it or maybe try it at home:  http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/eggs/activity-naked.html

I thought about listing some verses about being hard-pressed but not crushed, or passing through the waters, but the verses that accompanied my morning devotional seem the most appropriate here.  If only I had kept them fresh in my heart all day!  They are the kind of reminders that can strengthen and protect our “shells”!

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” –1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

When we have given our hearts and hope to Christ, this is possible.  My dear son and I realized today that it’s easy to get caught up in the things we are sad or discouraged about, but that shouldn’t be our prevailing perspective.  With hearts that are daily being renewed and transformed, we can rejoice and be thankful, and turn to prayer instead of worry and anxiety.

—A special thank you to everyone who has been helping us make this move, in so many different ways!  I hope we can return the blessing many times over!

Advertisement

Tags: 1 Thessalonians 5:18, being thankful in times of stress and change, Christianity, how children cope with moving, moving, moving with children, stress from moving