Three Doors Down

On Easter weekend this year, we moved ... three doors down.

We knew it was coming, but with my bone-grafting surgery in January, my gum-grafting surgery a couple months after that, followed by another procedure a little later, healing and recovery had been our focus.  In the grand scope of things, the house is just stuff, I know.  Which is why I can share my story of how God provided for us in an amazing way...

It was on a Thursday when Andrew and I decided we would start looking for a new place to live.  On the following Saturday, we had an appointment to view a house on the other side of the freeway.  It was nice, and so was the landlord, but as we stepped out to leave, I unexpectedly broke down in tears.  I think I came face to face with the reality of my shame, my loss, and my fear.  So in the car, Andrew prayed ...  for our lack of stewardship ~ forgive us; in our having to let go of the house ~ comfort us; and for our fear ~ Lord, remind us that You are our provider and grant us favor.  We drove off to spend the day with family in Yountville.  

Throughout the afternoon when my thoughts would drift towards wondering where we'd move to and all the work ahead, a devotional I'd read several weeks ago about waiting, trusting, and hoping would flood my heart and mind.  "Because I trust in God, I can wait in hope," I kept reminding myself.  And we enjoyed a great Saturday of friendship, food, and fun.

Coming home later that day, we noticed a FOR RENT sign in our neighbor's window, three doors down.  Needless to say, Andrew went to see him and told him about us having to move ... (remember, this is a Saturday).

As it turned out, our neighbor bought a new house just a few miles away. While he was able to secure a tenant in early February, his loan was taking forever to close, and the tenant couldn't wait any longer.  He told Andrew, "She just backed out yesterday (Friday). I returned her security deposit and first month's rent, and just put the FOR RENT sign up an hour ago.  If you want to move in here, I'll take the sign down right now!"  He drew up a rental agreement that night.  

They were so grateful to us, because they were worried they wouldn't be able to find a tenant in time for them to move.  We shared our story with them and the unbelievable timing of it all.  And none of us could doubt that God had provided for our families in an amazing way that day.

And so here I am, three doors down, humbled by His majesty once again.

"Take Me Home Country Roads"

© Ron Watts/CORBIS

I woke up to weather that reminded me of growing up in the east coast.

I love the sounds of rain and thunder.  Something about them reminds me of growing up in Virginia ... peering in awe through the sliding glass door, counting the seconds between flashes of light and the resounding crashes of thunder which never scared me.  Even as a child, I recall somehow knowing that life was so much bigger than me.

(The picture above reminds me of driving home on Pohick Road in Springfield, Virginia.)

It can't remember if it was 7th or 8th grade, but do I remember having to memorize poems in one English class.  One in particular resonated with me, The Road Not Taken.  "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry I could not travel both ... I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."  That's when I knew I wanted my life to be somewhat different, and to make a difference.