And thanksgiving over flowed in my heart. After days of pondering I realized what a testimony this home is. What I have experienced in this home, I haven't experienced in any other home we had … at least to the depth.
We have recently remodeled a couple of rooms: our bathroom and kitchen. It would be natural to take a picture in those rooms. The kitchen is where I experience creativity and passion and able to serve. And as much as I experience the joy of kitchen … it's not my favorite. The bathroom is the gratest transformation: something truly horrible and ugly now so purposeful and beautiful. Isn't that Jesus in our lives? How He transforms us from our horrible selves into something beautiful. That could be it … but no, it wasn't it.
Do I post a picture of our sitting room? That could it. It is a room where plants surround me, reminding me of life. It is a place I come and meet with Jesus in my quiet time, and where my intimate conversations take place with those I hold dear. That could be it. But I still had hesitancy as I thought about all the other rooms.
The laundry room, even though, the frequent mess of dirt trampling through and the collection of shoes still brings me a pleasant feeling. The dining room is full of fellowship, intimacy, laughter and conversations. A place where I can serve those I love. That surely could be it. The family room is where the girls play their instruments and worship. It has turned into our santuary where we have church now and we gather to watch movies, play games and where my husband holds me or my hand. That could be it too. Or what about the stairwell where so many pictures greet me and remind me of the good memories I have had with so many people. Or what about our room with its solitude and the intimacy, love and embrace only a husband and wife share. And the fourth bedroom .. storing the fun of games, creativity of crafts and sewing and such, and a place I can work or rather daydream as I stare out the window. Or do I stand in the only room we liked when we purchased our home .. .the downstairs bathroom, the room we still love and are thankful for because it drew us here. Or what about the rabbit coop where I'm greeted with so many cute faces and the fun they are. And the back porch where I can sit and relaxe and soak up the sun and enjoy the beauty of the flowers that surround me.
As I pondered, I have been grateful of all that God has blessed us with. I have experienced His blessings in each room and each room is filled with His goodness. I have a tangible reminder of a good God and the overflowing of goodness He has provided me.
I couldn't help but remember the day we found this house. We had transitioned back to California. We were trying hard to make something new, because we were determined to not return to the life and area we had known. We were going to live somewhere new, somewhere different. The realestate business was hot, and we had put eleven offers in different homes … all of them going at least 100,000 over asking prices - something we couldn't even compete in. Our temporary housing was about up and we were running out of hope. One thing happened after another, and we saw our now home on Redfin. It met all the criterias, but I just didn't like it. We placed an offer on the home still but way less than the offer, believing the bank would never accept. But God always wins .. and the keys were ours.
I had a disagreement with Duane right after watching church on Sunday. And true to form I retreated to
the place that always welcomes me. I took my tea and poindered. I was upset with my behavior and frustrated with my husband. But I went and sat and confessed my heart to God there. I sat and looked around and saw the beauty around me and thanksgiving filled my heart. I felt close to God once again. I realized then and there where my favorite spot was - my front porch. It is there no matter what I'm going through my heart always sores towards Him and thanksgiving fills my heart. It is there I welcome those into our home, and send off my love when they go - and God does the same with each of us. I watch the birds, and the bumble bees and rabbit - even though it eats my flowers. It's not my favorite door, and the porch needs some touching up - but in spite of that, God is with me.
The least favorite place in our home was just as difficult because each room is so good because God is part of each of them. It could be the girls room as there are many times it is hard to find the floor … but because of the lives that fill them, I'm even fond of those rooms. But then I remembered a room that intensifies my fear of the dark because there is no electricity, and the spiders and mice have been easy to find. But also a place where we have had kittens born in there .. the detached garage, carriage house, shed or whatever you want to call it.
So today thankful that God not only gives us a testimony in our lives but in our homes as well. And I am thankful He chose us to live here.
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