“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1a ESV
So, I bought a house. If you’ve been reading my blog for a bit, you know what a huge deal this is for me. It’s been quite a journey, but God taught me so many things along the way. However, the teaching and learning didn’t stop when I signed the closing documents. And so begins a four-post series about what I’m learning about God while I’m learning to be a house-owner.
Patience
My aunt (and realtor!) told me I should write about patience as we sat outside, eating gelato and waiting for the closing funds to be transferred so the full moving van that was waiting, and waiting, could finally be unloaded. (Talk about being in a situation I had no control over.) But I just kept thinking: If God brought me this far, why would He mess up moving day?
Correct answer: He wouldn’t, because He doesn’t mess stuff up.
So I had to be patient. Yes, the day didn’t end up going the way I planned, and trust me, I had planned the entire day down to the minute. But I was reminded that all things happen in His time. It was a beautiful day out, I got to spend some extra time with my aunt, and I had some amazing gelato (and the place we bought it from it conveniently located walking distance from my house). And when the day was over, and we were sitting on my couch in my new living room, I reflected that God’s lesson of patience actually kept me calmer during a stressful afternoon. Huh, something to think about: patience = calm.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
Thankfulness
I am so thankful for the family and friends that helped me move in (and out of my condo!). These people took a Saturday to help me empty 2 storage units (there were a few hours when I was more excited to be out of those storage units than I was to own a house). They came in SUVs, trucks, and trailers to give their time and energy to help me. It was another beautiful day outside, but the pure joy I felt at getting to share the day with these people will forever be grounded in gratefulness when I remember that weekend. Furthermore, since I moved two days after being back at work (yup, that’s right, and a few days before the students returned to school), I think my parents spent more time at the house that next week than I did. They did things around the house that would have taken me hours I didn’t have, and I’m so thankful.
And I’m thankful that God gave me this house. I still come home from work, pull in the driveway, and can’t believe I get to live here. I’m not just thankful to have a new home – I’m thankful God provided this particular home, at this particular time, just for me.
“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.” Psalm 69:30 ESV
Trust
Oh boy, am I learning a lot about trust. Trust that God brought me here, but won’t leave me here. As I experience things in this home that differ from things in my previous home (like having oil and propane, and figuring out what to do when an alarm sounds right as I’m heading to bed), I’m learning to trust that I will be ok, that I’ll learn as I go, and that I’ll be safe in the meantime. I’m also trusting that God will continue to provide for me financially so that this home can be used for His service. . . and I’m trusting for Him to show me what that looks like, too,
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Where can you experience lessons in patience, thankfulness, and trust in your own life?
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1a ESV
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