I love living here. We have less than a year's lease and I am struggling with how much I enjoy it. God has blessed us with a home that fits us perfectly. Let's see....
But...this brings me to the real reason for this post. Love it - or - Leave it? I am thankful that we have only been granted this little oasis for 11 months. I can totally see myself settling in here long term. Why not, right? Well, I have been digging into His word each morning and it is TRUE that the Holy Spirt reveals things to us...things we need to know. Jesus sure did have a PERFECT home in heaven with someone He loved deeply...who loved Him beyond measure. And...He left. Willingly. Because...He loved... THAT MUCH. I want love to move ME! I seriously doubt God is asking me to leave anything NEAR what he asked of his own son. My sacrifices will be small and my blessings will be HUGE. When I think of why I will likely leave all this, it is not hard to imagine. He calls us to go and share and love. To pour our hearts into the lives of others. God gave me the visual image of faces I love coming and going from my "less than perfect" home far from here - and THAT is worth so much more than front porches, finished basements, fenced yards or even fantastically large laundry rooms. Here are some of the faces I love. And, yes, I am more than willing to trade this material blessing for time spent with them...and others I have yet to meet.
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I think it means I am getting OLD when I no longer try to force things...when I am honestly okay with plans that change...and change in a way I would not have chosen.
OR...does it mean that - maybe, just maybe - my will is following my heart...a heart that yearns to be in His will. I am able to be at peace with closed doors; me, who has been known to force them back open. God closed a door I believe was a GOOD thing, in and of itself....just not His BEST! Pete said he thinks God was able to smile at our willingness, gently close the door and continue to lead us down the hallway to what He REALLY wants us to do. I like believing that. As soon as that door closed, God provided in an amazing way for me to take our 18 year old son to Ethiopia....in 8 days! My head is swirling. I was excited, then I crossed over to a little freaked out. I am not a planner. I am usually a pretty efficient shoot-from-the-hip kinda mother and wife. However, I am convinced I am going to be boarding that Buy One, Get One FREE flight to Addis and realize: I FORGOT SOMETHING! And - true to my nature - I will punt and say, "Oh well"...with a smile. (Unless, of course, it's my passport - ACK!) |
Contact us:Lori (847) 650-7144
Pete (847) 650-8022 Our Email: thatsmithfamily@outlook.com Who's WritingWe are an ordinary family simply trying to follow where He leads. We want YOU to see the amazing things HE is doing... Older Entries
December 2017
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