We've been here six months, and in that time we have anticipated the new job, the new city, the new life that we will have once this period of waiting is over. But it has been six months, and we are still waiting. We cannot plan anything in the distant future. We can't plan on anything. We just wait. The job that I thought was going to work out didn't. Then another one came along that seems like a good fit, but they want to take more time. So we wait. It has been a difficult thing for me to discuss on the blog.
But there are some good things coming to me while I wait. This lake house is number one on the list. It is an enormous blessing. I know that not everyone gets to spend their time waiting on God in such a beautiful place.
As a byproduct of living in a vacation home, we have found that when we invite people to come visit us, they are happy to do so. By my count, we have had over 61 visitors to stay with us since we've been here. Some of them have come from Tennessee with a newborn baby, some have come from Texas with a van full of children, some are college friends that we hadn't seen since before we had children. Some have been childhood friends that I have known for 25 years. Many of them have been family members; sisters and brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews that I used to only see twice a year, but are now able to come down for the weekend or stop by for dinner on the way somewhere else. The kids have had ample time with grandparents that used to be crammed into a short Christmas or summer visit.
This has been at once a time of mourning and a time of healing for me; a time of laughing with old friends, of holding babies, of chasing toddlers, of making s'mores, of teaching children to fish and to canoe, of catching up, of sharing burdens and of staying up too late playing cards. This has been a time of anxiously waiting to see what will happen next. This has been a time of renewal, of learning to rely on God and of bonding with my husband and my children. It has been a very very good time.
Beautifully said, babe. There's a reason for everything. I'm so thankful we were able to hang on to that house when we had to move. We are very blessed indeed. And now I can see some of His purpose in our moving to Ohio. Besides the fact that I am much more thankful for my blessings now, this move has been a "life" experience for me. And, being honest here, as much as we love you, living together would've put a strain on all of us after a while. This way we visit frequently and leave. That works out pretty well for all of us. God does work in mysterious ways!
ReplyDeleteP.S. We'll be down next weekend!!!
Sounds wonderful. If you've got to be waiting, spending that time on an extended vacation with all kinds of people you love sounds like a good way to do it.
ReplyDeleteoh, the waiting! even though my hubby has the job, as you know, there has been a lot of waiting in my life of late, too. And it is hard. It's amazing, though, the blessings that can come from waiting, and your blessings are abundant. I hope the waiting is drawing to a close, but glad you are enjoying in the meantime...
ReplyDeleteIs there a reason why the Cordray's haven't been invited to the lake house? Dern.
ReplyDeleteNow you are making ME cry.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are able to see blessings in such a difficult and stressful time. My prayers are with you!