We loved that blue house. Asher doesn’t remember the bungalow in
Newton, Iowa. The blue house is where he
had his first birthday. It’s where we celebrated. It’s the only home Ezra ever knew. It’s where I raised my babies, and where we made
memories. The blue house was our family’s
home, and it was home to my daycare. We
were happy that God brought us back to our childhood home of Waverly, Iowa, to
raise our own children… But a seed was
planted, and the winds of change started blowing last Fall.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under
the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to
uproot… (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)
This Winter we leaned into God. At first, the change was slow… I wanted to have more time and energy for my
guys. I needed to take better care of
myself. For a variety of reasons, it was
time to let go of the blue house. We
started looking at opportunities for work and options for housing. God kept working in our hearts and working
out the details of everyday life. As the
song “Always” says:
Oh, my God, He will not delay.
My refuge and strength always.
I will not fear, His promise is true.
My God will come through always, always.
He didn’t delay.
He showed up daily… The day after we received an offer to buy the blue
house, we heard of a short-term rental.
We made plans to transition to our “in-between” house. At the yellow house, our car was crushed by a
tree one windy night. Within a week, we
had found another car. When I had
worries, when some of “life’s little details” where not so little, I remembered:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Then some things were moving quickly and others seemed
to move too slowly. When our rental was
sold four weeks after we moved in, we weren’t sure where we would go in the
Spring. We knew two paths lay before us,
but it wasn’t clear yet which direction we would take. So, we explored both options until it was
clear. It was hard not knowing where,
when, how. Yet another reminder of the
ongoing lesson I’m learning about the desire to maintain control myself. I’ve heard it said that “Change is
inevitable. Growth is optional.” God kept working in our hearts and working
out the long-term details. I remembered
a favorite song by Maire Brennan about how God will work things out in His
perfect time:
Believe me
I'm not afraid
Teach me
To learn your ways
Carry me
Under your wings
In your perfect time
I'm not afraid
Teach me
To learn your ways
Carry me
Under your wings
In your perfect time
Now things are moving quickly. We found a house. Any problems that came up have been worked
out. Our family has been so wonderfully
supportive. Asher will not finish out
school here, but he will have April and May to meet friends at his new school. He will be there just in time to start soccer
and join some fun Scouts activities.
Both the boys are excited about our new adventure. I have to admit I had some worries about how
they would react to the news of a move away from family, but I was happily
surprised by their enthusiasm and inspired by some of their perspectives. Of course, once past the chaos and
uncertainly, looking in hind-sight after decisions are clear and final, it
seems obvious now how everything was falling into place. I lean on God’s promises:
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths
straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
I’m going to miss that blue house and
our beautiful garden… but a house is just a house. We are on the cusp of Spring, and we will dig
in the Wisconsin dirt and plant a new garden there. I’m going to miss family stopping by, calling
to say “come on over,” or embracing us on Sunday mornings… but we are rooted in
God and our family. Family is a part of who you are, and family
is always in your heart. The road is not
long, and we will cross the invisible line that divides states often.
Our adventure may be taking us farther down the road
a bit… but, while our address has changed, our home and our family remains the
same.
Having someplace to go is home. Having someone to love is family. Having both is a blessing.