Hello dear reader. I am so excited to welcome you to my new website. For the past several months, my youngest son shared his time and talent to help build this beautiful new site, a home for my blogs, a spot for my speaker information, and a place where, I pray, you will be encouraged! I am beyond blessed, and so thankful, for the sacrifices my son made to invest in my life and calling.
Now, with 2013 off to a good start, not only will my blogs have a new home, but my husband and I are looking for a new house as well. You see, the place where we currently live is bursting at the seams! When our children and grandchildren come to visit, our tiny house is overflowing with love, laughter and bodies. And, there appears to be no end-in-sight to our families growth and multiplication. (Smile) So, a few months ago, my husband and I started to look for a bigger house.
In our search for a new home, we have been charmed by the old victorian houses and sturdy craftsman style homes in the urban neighborhood we have grown to love, the place the Lord used to enlarge the tent of my heart. Sadly, most of them are too small, too pricey, or in need of too many repairs.
Our hunt for the right house, as well as to make a sound financial investment, has led us to explore more rural communities. After drives of forty miles or more, we have looked at large properties, with huge homes, and spectacular views. Yet, as enticing as these houses are, it makes me sick to my stomach to think about moving further away from our family, friends and church community.
So, on our search, we have also looked for homes in our old neighborhood. The place where we raised our teenagers, hosted their friends, saw them off to college, met our daughters-in-grace, and watched them marry, and begin lives and families of their own.
I must confess, that at fifty-three years old, after dozens of moves which began when I was just three months old, I find myself crying out to God, I want a home that is familiar, comfortable and near our family and friends. I don't want to start over again."
The place my heart's cry is loudest, is many miles away from the city where we could have property, a very large house, and breath-taking views. There, I hear God challenge me,
"But, where do I want you to live? I know your future and where I have plans and purposes for you to dwell.
Then, I remember a verse from one of my all time favorite passages of the Bible, From one man God made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. Acts 17:26 Lord, I whisper, I believe this is true! And, I do. For, I have seen the hand of God, with His awesome plans and purposes, lead us to places and provide homes that, in the natural, should never have been ours.
And once again, as I have done so many time before, I surrender my will, Father, Not my will, but Thine be done. And, I find refuge in the promises and faithfulness of God.
Dear reader, I need to run now. I am going to meet my husband to see yet another house. "Could this be 'the one,' Lord?" I will keep you posted!" Until then, pray for us! If this post have spoken to your heart, I would love to hear from you. And, before you leave, please take a minute to look around my new website. I would love to hear what you think.