“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6
I finally got up the courage to drive by my yellow house. I said goodbye to it on June 24th, 2010. I drove by it and snapped a picture last weekend. Why did I wait almost a year and five months to head down my former street?
Well… memories of ALL the amazing family times, my four children and their friends scooting in and out the door, conversations around the fire pit out back, gardening, throwing the ball to SadieBrie our dog, hot tub dates in the rain or snow, watching the boys shoot hoops on the sport court, Christmas parties, graduation open houses, small group and prayer buddies, Mike falling off the roof, fixing it up to sell…
Letting go is hard and I assumed if I just avoided actually seeing it, then I could block out some of the pain of living in a different place in a different state without the “history”. Listening to a podcast a couple weeks ago by the blogger from The Small Notebook I heard words that pierced my heart; Home is wherever I am with my family. It’s not about the house.
I am thankful for all the events that took place while we lived in Whitley Hills as my children were growing into the amazing young adults that they have become. God has knit us together as a family and we will continue to make memories whenever we’re under the same roof, where ever that might be.
Mike was an Air force Brat;he moved often. I grew up in one house in one town. Our children are learning to adapt and be content living in dorm rooms, studios, rentals, tents, a house in Costa Rica and a bedroom at Mom & Dad’s house. I know it was difficult for all of them to leave the yellow house too, yet it didn’t take them over a year to drive by and fifty years to learn to live in a place for shelter.
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12
Lessons Learned: A home doesn’t have to be a house, I can “nest” anywhere, the Carver Clan will have many wonderful times together in the “White House”, and all these addresses are temporary; my permanent address is in Heaven.
In His Grip, Jane
oh Jane! I concur! Moving from a house to an apartment is both exciting and heart-wrenching. Besides learning that it isn't the location, I'm finding that it isn't about the "stuff inside" the shelter either! It's about the stuff inside us...and I think our view of 'home' is often reflected in what we treasure. Love the Paul quote ;-) Love you!!
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