“He is the happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home”
You know that house out in the country on about 5 acres that has haunted your dreams for years? The one that you have to take a long twisting drive and go through it's own covered bridge when you finally arrive at the 3 floor brick home that is surrounded by a forest. Well, it's for sale! Yes....I'm serious....I saw it. Yeah, and the housing market makes it affordable!
I have dreamed about living in that house since I was about 12 years old. Our family moved in 2 miles from "the house" at that time. Every time we drove past my face would be plastered to the car window. When I rode my bike to my friends house I would always stop to take in the sight. I would try to peak through the trees to get a glimpse of it's splendor.
Our family moved about every two years. I would try to imagine that in my adult life I would have a sweet little family, a garden, woods, and a home that I never wanted to leave or move away from.
I've had my eye on that house since Joel and I began our family. A couple of years ago the house came up for sale, but it was sooooo out of our price range. Still, I have paid close attention for my opportunity. Somehow, someway, I was going to get this dream. Of coarse I would. After all, I have petitioned the Lord for so long. "Lord, let me have this one thing! The home of my dreams. A place where I can go to feel peace, get rest, and raise my little family."
A dear friend told me the other day, "The house is for sale!" "What," I thought, "I missed it?" She then went on to tell me that not only was it up for sale but that it had been foreclosed on (imagine that in this economy) and was well within my price range. Oh glory! I rushed right over and took a long look at the home. I then rushed home and called my husband up, "PLEEEASE, let's go look at it!" I said.
When the conversation was over I was on cloud 9! I hung the phone on the receiver and spun around to go get the number to our realtor. When I turned, there on the wall adjacent to the phone was something that caught my attention. My children's growth chart. Nine years ago, when we moved into this home, I started the chart. I wrote right on the wall. There was Ethan's height marked on the very bottom. He was just one when we had moved in and now is 10. He had grown so much and Olivia's latest mark was just inches from the mark that read "mommy."
Tears flooded my eyes as I saw my home in a whole new light. Memories flooded my vision as I remembered Ethan's first steps, Olivia playing with her kitchen set, highchairs, slumber parties, puppies, standing in the middle of the living room, devastated as I watched the world trade center fall into crumbles. As, I walked around our home I came to the realization that God have answered my many pleas.
We have been here NINE years. I always love being home with my family. I feel peace and know that God dwells here. Joel and I have worked on this home all these years, molding it into our haven, our retreat center.
I got into the car and drove past the dream home one last time. You know, it just didn't have that power that it had held over me all these years. As I was driving home the Miranda Lambert song came on, "The House that Built Me." As I pulled into my own driveway I was filled with emotion as I thanked the Lord for His great love for me. It's really not the physical house, it's my family. Wherever they are, I will be happy. So, for now, this is were home sweet home is to me♥
