Those that know me know it doesn't take much to move me. In fact, I am moved to tears fairly easily. The fact that we have moved - physically, from our house of 9 years - has caused some emotion to rise up in me. It was the home of my kids' adolescence. It was where we shared life and so many important markers. It's the place where we gathered with extended family and many friends. All 3 of my offspring left from that place to go to college. In some ways, their leaving marked the time Johnny and I decided to move.
We just closed on that house today but we were supposed to 2 1/2 weeks ago. It's a long story and beside the point but we moved all our earthly possessions out on a Monday and Tuesday in anticipation of closing on Thursday of that week. Once everything was out, I spent the following day, Wednesday, cleaning and making sure we didn't miss anything. I started upstairs, in the kids' rooms. As I went from each of their rooms, I thought about so many memories, conversations, milestones. I prayed for each of my kids and so many of the friends that passed through those rooms. Such happy days, happy memories and even some difficult ones. You know for sure that I was bawling. In the first room I fell to my knees out of pure gratitude for every single day, every single moment of life and every person that passed through those thresholds.
Nine years is the longest Johnny and I have lived in one place together.
We are moved into what Johnny affectionately calls our "transition house." It's a house that belongs to a friend where we will live these next months while we build what we hope is our "forever house" in the country. Not everything is unpacked (nor will it be) but we're settled and grateful for a place to call home during this time of transition.
And, yet, I'm reminded that this "transition house" or even the planned "forever house" is not really my permanent home.
For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven. 2 Corinthians 5:1-2
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20
Walking out of the door of our home for 9 years brought emotion but, I admit, the thought of my eternal home rushes over me and fills me with an emotion that I cannot explain or fully comprehend. A place of no separation, a place of no tears, a place where lightbulbs won't need to be replaced because the glory of God will be the Light. A place that is in the very presence of Him, the Holy One. His home. His dwelling place where those that belong to Him will be with Him forever.
Yeah, that moves me.
Johnny and I waited in the lobby today for our turn to sign the papers that mark the end of our ownership and the beginning of another's. The family actually goes to our church and they passed us as they were on their way out and we were on our way in. We remarked about what a great place that house was to raise teens, to have lots of folks over, to live. We hope they have the same experience.
God gives us places to dwell, people to share our lives with. For that, and so much more, I am so grateful.
Serving the King,
We just closed on that house today but we were supposed to 2 1/2 weeks ago. It's a long story and beside the point but we moved all our earthly possessions out on a Monday and Tuesday in anticipation of closing on Thursday of that week. Once everything was out, I spent the following day, Wednesday, cleaning and making sure we didn't miss anything. I started upstairs, in the kids' rooms. As I went from each of their rooms, I thought about so many memories, conversations, milestones. I prayed for each of my kids and so many of the friends that passed through those rooms. Such happy days, happy memories and even some difficult ones. You know for sure that I was bawling. In the first room I fell to my knees out of pure gratitude for every single day, every single moment of life and every person that passed through those thresholds.
Nine years is the longest Johnny and I have lived in one place together.
We are moved into what Johnny affectionately calls our "transition house." It's a house that belongs to a friend where we will live these next months while we build what we hope is our "forever house" in the country. Not everything is unpacked (nor will it be) but we're settled and grateful for a place to call home during this time of transition.
And, yet, I'm reminded that this "transition house" or even the planned "forever house" is not really my permanent home.
For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven. 2 Corinthians 5:1-2
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20
Walking out of the door of our home for 9 years brought emotion but, I admit, the thought of my eternal home rushes over me and fills me with an emotion that I cannot explain or fully comprehend. A place of no separation, a place of no tears, a place where lightbulbs won't need to be replaced because the glory of God will be the Light. A place that is in the very presence of Him, the Holy One. His home. His dwelling place where those that belong to Him will be with Him forever.
Yeah, that moves me.
Johnny and I waited in the lobby today for our turn to sign the papers that mark the end of our ownership and the beginning of another's. The family actually goes to our church and they passed us as they were on their way out and we were on our way in. We remarked about what a great place that house was to raise teens, to have lots of folks over, to live. We hope they have the same experience.
God gives us places to dwell, people to share our lives with. For that, and so much more, I am so grateful.
Serving the King,
Jeanette
