This morning, it all came together.
We are snowed in today, with ice and snow and a big mess of hazardous roads outside. As I was burning off some energy cleaning this morning, I was overcome with the gratefulness that I need to express.
For the past seven years, our family lived in a small farmhouse that was - well, let me just say it had its quirks. We had propane heaters that were not the most efficient, and I have used the oven to heat the kitchen. Meatloaf, anyone? My kids are experts in layering clothing and blankets, and we would laugh about being able to see our breath in the living room. I could go on, but I don't want it to sound like I'm complaining. That's not my intention at all. It was a blessing that we were able to live in this home rent free for seven years, but there were also days it was hard for me to appreciate this blessing. We wanted more space and a second bathroom was a luxury I dreamed of. Our four children kept growing and the space was becoming a little claustrophobic at times. We would remind ourselves that God was taking care of our needs.
This year, God has done some amazing things for our family. I can't even begin to describe the range of emotions I've experienced. I can definitely say He used many people to put us where we are today. I can't even begin to thank them all by name, but they knew who they are. They were so instrumental in our lives. For those who gave, whether it was time, money, supplies or advice, all were important. All were appreciated. All demonstrated servant hearts.
We set out early last year looking for a house with three bedrooms/two baths. We're pretty practical and didn't want to get something so big that we wouldn't otherwise have a life. We looked and looked but nothing felt right. We weren't in a rush - save our sanity - so we continued to look. Then God went to work.
Here's my next disclaimer: In no way am I meaning to brag about what happened. This was totally God's work, and he deserves all the glory. I've struggled about writing this because I don't want it to come across wrong, so please don't misunderstand me.
After lots of prayers, tears, patience and waiting, and more prayers, tears, patience and waiting, and more - well, you get the idea - we closed on a house in town that not only met all our needs, but exceeded our wants too!
It needed a little bit of work and a lot of paint, but this summer we became owners of a foreclosure that was twice the size of our little farmhouse. We have enough bedrooms for the kids to have their own room (praise God!), and we also have not two, but three bathrooms. I will also never take for granted having a dishwasher. Just so you know that God cares about our piddly little desires too: I have always wanted a bay window in my bedroom. Voila!
When we moved in, this verse continually came to my mind:
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. " Malachi 3:10 NASB
He didn't just give us a little bit of wiggle room, He opened his arms wide and let all the blessings pour in. It's on days like today, when there is a blanket of white outside and temperatures forecasted to drop down in the teens, that I am truly reminded of how blessed I am. I can walk around my house in long sleeves praising God for central heat and that He gave us oh so much more than we ever asked for.
