peace in christ

It feels like I took this picture yesterday, but it was almost 2 years ago. The girls are sitting on one of their new mattresses while Dad and I painted, scrubbed, etc... Our family had walked down a challenging road together for a few years. That ended with the abrupt notification that we had to move away from the house we bought new almost 10 years ago. It was inarguable. So the prayerful search began. We looked around diligently and found several perfect to our eyes properties, but there was always a hitch. No cats. If you read my bio you know how I feel about that. :) Another one was someone got the offer in first. Some were for rent to attract buyers. One of our favorite properties was exactly this. We were told the owner was waiting to see if they got an offer before conceding to rent. I assume to increase the foot traffic? We were not looking to buy again just yet. It could get discouraging, but in Christ we had the comfort of knowing, based on Acts 17:26, that God had already planned exactly when and where we should live. We just needed to trust and patiently wait for His leading. We got to a place that we were a little weary from all the looking. Having a realtor that had a daughter who tagged along helped. House shopping practically became play dates, but after a good amount of time, we all decided it was best to wait for the market to refresh. We went home and took one last peek through Craigslist. When we looked there was a town home listed in a neighborhood we had driven through. Sighed through... It was so sweet. Close to everything, but in it's own little hamlet. Underground wires, beautiful community, tennis court, community pool area, club house, play ground and tons of beautiful different types of trees. We couldn't find a property though. When we drove though there was a particular street that had families congregated with kids playing. It felt like the 70's. I remember kickball games in the street, but I didn't think people still did that. They do. In fact playing in the street was common on this street known as the kids street. The town home for rent was right on that street! It was perfect. It had a huge porch overlooking a pond with a fountain that would be awesome for homeschooling. A partially finished basement for days that were inclement. The gentleman leasing it, who happened to be a Pastor, said the family who had been renting it left unexpectedly and he had just put it up on Craigslist. Keys please! I am so glad those other properties did not work out. God in His infinite wisdom had better in mind and definitely gave us the desires of our hearts. Psalm 37:4. Our Margaret was 2 at the time and while we were weeding the garden around the deck she quietly said, "this is my home, in Jesus name amen." Yes it was and we were glad for it. This home and the family leasing it have been a 24/7 blessing. As we are pulling up stakes again to switch homes and states, I am grateful for the peace God's word brings. 

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.