We've moved. A lot. In less than an month we will be making our 7th move in 6 1/2 years, and we are not in the military. Though my heart feels a lot of things about this reality, many times sinful, the Lord has used these relocation's to teach us in really unique ways.
The places we have lived vary greatly. In a a duplex that was previously a bachelor pad, a second apartment close by, small brand new ranch, a sprawling rental in a quiet community, large 1940's bungalow seconds from a University, a dark second story apartment, and now in seminary housing where our living space maxes out at about 500 sq feet. It has been an adventure for certain. We have learned to be adaptable. And yes, my kids will sleep anywhere. But one reality continues to knock at my heart. The Lord has used all these places, some we loved (oh, my Greensboro bungalow) and some we...didn't (that DARK 2nd story apt!) to teach us to be content in all circumstances (though not without periods of grumbling from these stubborn sheep). We have learned to live here, with little space and even less storage. With seminary books and dog crates as side tables, and bikes in bathrooms. But God has been gracious, and with this major subtraction in space, came a major addition in community. We live beside and around tons of other families who know where we are in life. They know the sacrifices we are making and what this call on our lives means. We have made friends here, in just 3 months, that we will keep forever. This has been the reality everywhere we lived. Like when we witnessed multiple hit and runs and had a young man arrested (all within the first few months of living there) in our driveway in Greensboro, in the house that served to be a hub for college students to be discipled and eventually become part of our family. Four of those students are now moving with us to serve in the church Clint is pastoring. Or the dark second story apartment where my kids refused to go outside (in the summer!) where we met Nick, a New Yorker who eventually gave his life to Christ and joined our Church. The Lord is full of grace.
I have never been so thankful for the contentment and adaptability He is teaching us until now, when I am weeks away from moving into a house I can't believe I get to live in. A house we have dubbed "Dream House" for over a year now. While the details of how this all happened are for another post, lets put it this way for now, the Lord gives good gifts. In His time, in His way, for His glory. Sometimes its the gift of a little seminary townhouse, other times its our "dream house". So as I look at the stunning exposed brick, and drool at the amazing kitchen, I know that one thing is for sure. This house, as amazing as it is, will not make me happy. An awkwardly shaped room with frustrate me, the lack of a coat closet will tempt me to grumble, the size will tempt me to complain about cleaning. Because it isn't about the house. My heart will be present whether I live in a hut in Africa or an 1800's colonial in a quaint little town. And my heart is the problem. If Christ is my treasure and my hope, if my home is viewed as a gift He has given and not a right I am entitled to, and if I remember that He has given that gift to me so that I might open it to people and show them who Christ is, then indeed it will be my dream house. And if not? My heart will be as discontent in that big, beautiful "dream house" as it would be in a tiny dumpy apartment. The size and extravagance of our homes have much less to do with our contentment than the size and extravagance we experience from our God.
There is grace. And this is a grace. The Lord loves us so deeply that he will not allow material possessions to fulfill us. Our emptiness even with the best gifts, are meant to lead us to Him. The perfect one who gave himself up to offer us the greatest home we could imagine. Perfect glory and perfect communion with the Creator of the cosmos. THAT will make us happy.
Lord Jesus, would you fill me with your presence and joy so that I would turn away from Satan's pitfalls of loving what is temporary too much. May I love you, the giver far more than I ever love your gifts. May my home be a safe haven from the world while simultaneously reminding me that it can not be compared to my true home in Heaven. May it be a place of love, security, and adventure for my family and of grace, hope and love to the visitor. And above all else, may we use it for your glory and namesake. In Jesus name, amen.
