Hey there, friends!! I am excited today! Keevin and I toured a house last week and fell in love with it. It was our second choice but it was more than I could imagine. It's funny that from looking at it from the outside (as we did the previous weekend) and looking at it on the inside were two different experiences. In fact, we did not go and tour the first choice. It was obvious that house # 2 was God's choice. Thank You my Lord!!
Keevin and I will go this morning to have the electricity turned on and the propane is already switched over to our name. We will move in this weekend and once again be out of the camper. The house is a simple brick farmhouse with 3 levels. The main level has the usual living room, kitchen, bathroom, dinning room and 2 bedrooms. The upper level is rustic with creaking old floors but also has a bathroom with a cast-iron claw-foot tub. This area will be for our guests and visitors as we will close it off and conserve on heat when by ourselves. The bottom level is a full, dark basement but great for our storage stuff--we are very grateful for this area. In fact, we are very grateful for each and every level and space. I forgot to tell you about my favorite. Attached to the kitchen is a very small sun porch. Small, yes, but me and my plants will love this area.
We came back to the camper after touring the house and deciding that this is the right place. As I was moving around and doing some light housekeeping I noticed a card on the bulletin board that we have hanging up. This card was dated 9-20-11. Not long after we had moved here I wrote down details I wanted for my next home. As I read over the forgotten card my heart became a little overwhelmed. I realized that God had given me what I desired. Look at the details: 3 bedroom, 2 bath, dinning room, dishwasher, no carpet, hardwood floors, in a valley with a beautiful view of the mountains. I forgot to tell you that although the kitchen is small it is beautifully and newly renovated including a dishwasher--yes, in this old farmhouse. This kitchen even has one of those fancy fauscets where the sprayer is also the faucet and has a soap dispenser. And the view is wonderful!! Through the windows one can look at a winding road going up the mountain. There are lots of cabins and a Christmas tree patch to look at. A top the mountain is a big, pretty house. A horse stable is just in front of us. Lot's of eye candy. I know my family and friends will enjoy the visit here and feel like they are on vacation. But I have to tell you this is not the first time God has given me a house that was on my wish list. It happened at our last house. It happened when we were living in the camper before where I started writing a Bible study, I made a similar card but it had different details because all my children were joining us in that house. I asked for 2200 or so square foot, 3 bathrooms, fireplace and some other things. God gave us 2700 square foot with an upper level perfect for my daughter and her 2 children and Cody had his room and we even had an extra room for an office so that I could do more writing. And it had 3 full bathrooms. It's funny that both times I made these cards out God did not allow me to look inside and tour other homes. He specifically gave us these two homes without us picking them out. I would have loved looking in other houses but God wanted me to know that this was His present to me and I love that even more.
Psalm 37: 3-4 (NIV): "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:3-4 is number 3 on my 20 core memory verses. If I didn't know this verse so intimately I might would have not noticed my desires being fulfilled by God. I might would have considered the two houses as coincidental. But I know better. I really know better because I have committed myself to His Word. Friend, this has contributed to a wonderful sense of significance and connection to Holy Dad. As I lay down at night I recite my 20 core verses. The habit of going over them relaxes me, grows the word in me, and have at times inspired me with prayers for other people. I strongly urge you to do this as His word will be your life. Psalm 119:11 (NIV): "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." It is a sin not to memorize and take time to think about these verses. When you start experiencing the amazing effect of this habit you'll find yourself wanting to go beyond the 20 you've assigned yourself to. Thanksgiving is the byproduct of this habit. Thanksgiving leads to peace and contentment and it feels awesome to me!
1 John 4:19 (NIV): "We love because He first loved us." Bask in His love. Allow Him to love You. Give over to His way and you'll feel it---love! 1 John 4:18 (MSG): "God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day--our standing in the world is idenical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life--fear of death, fear of judgment--is one not yet fully formed in love." Friend, the life not yet fully formed in love is a life without the right kind of confidence. To have the confidence you crave--you'll get it by doing it His way.
Friend, I encourage you to have a home that is mature and full of God--that is your inner home. It is possible to change from your loveless self and feel His warmth. Ask Holy Dad to help you in this area. Soak in His word and commit to loving God with your total being and energies. You'll find yourself energized and feeling good about life.
The verse that started this blog says it perfectly: Isaiah 32:17 (NIV): "The fruit of righteousness is peace; the effect of righteousness is quietness and confidence forever."
Do the right things--God's things!! Enjoy the new feeling!!
Jesus' healing and peace to all, Wynndy
