Family News

Since this blog is entirely eclectic (like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get)... I will start a new section of specific family updates.  This may bore some of you, but oh well.  You don't have to read it :)


This week we are venturing to move into a rental home while we attempt to sell our current home.  This means, if it sells we will move twice.  A big hassle, for sure, but we don't want to get stuck with two mortgages.  If our house doesn't sell, then, well, we will move on to plan B.  We don't exactly have a plan B, but we walk by faith and trust the Lord to guide and provide what we actually need (not 'want', though we wouldn't mind if He provided our wants too!), in His time.  In the meantime, we plod ahead and develop patience.  I often pray these thoughts from Psalm 16:


LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; 
   you have made my lot secure. 
 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; 
   surely I have a delightful inheritance.


In fact, I have been praying about moving for well over 2 years.  I never felt Sam would really understand or appreciate my desire to alleviate some of the day-to-day stresses of living in close quarters.  I wrestled with whether I should just be content and not pursue a move because perhaps God wanted to refine our character by allowing grit to get under our psychological skin on a daily basis.  As I evaluated and thought it through I realized that this could be God's plan for us - to grow us through daily struggles, but that He surely allows us to pursue creative solutions to our problems and invites us to trust Him on that journey.

I approached Sam about it a few times and my misgivings were confirmed.  He did not see the need.  He reminded me that people in other countries live in far smaller quarters.  I took that to heart and continued to pray. I came to believe that we would never move.  At the same time I continued to pray that God would cause my 'boundary lines' to 'fall for me in pleasant places.'  Either way, I was determined to be content no matter what our living conditions, and seek to grow in joy and patience with whatever the Lord gave to me out of His goodness and love.

Wrestling with contentment and joy and still pursuing a better living situation was actually a pleasure for me.  It increased my trust in and love for God, knowing and believing He is good to me, even if I ask for mere temporal pleasures.  I grew in seeing Him as my tender-hearted Father Who loves to listen to my want prayers as much as my need prayers.

Sometime around November Sam really began to understand the impact of our living space on family stress.  He too understood that it could be that God wants to refine our character by staying put.  But as an engineer (always seeking practical solutions!) he also understood that a move might be in order.  I was blown away to see the answer to my prayers in his change of heart!  I really thanked and praised God for such an open, willing-hearted, patient husband who listened and took my thoughts/feelings to heart.  When I think of the word 'husband' - it really means to care for, shepherd and nurture (like in animal husbandry!) - I realize Sam really rises to the challenge - with joy, and faithful courage.

So, on Saturday we will take the first step of moving out of here.  Even finding a rental was such a long process.  No-one wanted to rent to us short term.  We searched and came up empty.  Somehow we thought to ask our former pastor if his house had sold or if it was vacant for renters.  It was such a provision that the renters had moved out just a month ago!  It was available!  We had been aiming to move by April 1st.  And we had done due diligence and searched all over and came up dry.  When Sam talked to our former pastor and discovered it was available, he commented, 'We should have prayed about this earlier!'  Good lesson in seeking provision from the Father's hand rather than merely our own efforts.

We are trusting the Lord to lead in the upcoming months for a home-buyer and perhaps another house for us!  Either way, we proceed with our eyes on Him, trusting for His provision and with hearts fully content - because it isn't, afterall, our living situation that brings joy, but His very presence - and that we always have.

You have made known to me the path of life; 
   you will fill me with joy in your presence, 
   with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Comments

  1. oh! i am praying you get a bigger place- I know how that is!! How exciting to watch God move!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm praying for our peaceful co-existence during the move! It can be so challenging!

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