Yesterday Tom and I worked like mad to get the house picture perfect - literally. Two of those crazy people whose love has come to us in the form of manual labor pitched in during the last hour. They put on the finishing touches: a bit of greenery here and there; last minute dust-mopping; and, hiding things in odd places. Pictures were snapped and it was finished. We've spent twelve years of dwelling, gathering, growing, celebrating, laughing, grieving, hiding, hosting, healing and praying in this home. In a few short days our house will be empty of things, but I hope the walls talk to those who come through the doors. I hope they can sense the joy our family has known in each room.
Praise God! He can fill any home at any address with His Presence. Praise God! His strength and joy are wherever He dwells. Praise God! He's in any house His children enter, whether the house is picture perfect or empty of everything else. May this house continue to be a place He can feel at home. May we leave the Light on for the next family who lives here.
Lord, You gave us this home at the last minute after days and months of searching and bidding on other homes. You chose it in advance and it has been a home of joy. Thank You for every minute here. For seeing Nick learn to climb and count the stairs and for watching Julie come down those same stairs dressed for prom with her future husband waiting at the bottom. Thank You for the science projects completed and math problems solved on the table in the blessing room. Thank You for all the patches of sunshine where Little Mac and the cats have curled up to sleep in peace. Thank You for the porch where I've written, we've eaten, and I've enjoyed quality time with family members and friends and quiet time with You. Thank You for the family room where we've gathered with movies and popcorn, laughter and memories. Thank You for the kids' rooms where I've snuggled with each one with good books and knelt beside their beds when they were sick. Thank You for our room, a hide away for "discussions" of every kind - the place where our marriage has grown. Lord, You gave us this house and we praise You for dwelling with us and making it a home. Go with us, prepare the next house You've given us to be a home. Bless the next family You lead to this house with twice the blessings we've enjoyed, through good times and bad. May the people reading this prayer look with joy into their own homes as they see Your Presence there.
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights. (For the direction of music. On my stringed instruments.)" Habakkuk 3:17-19
'Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy in His dwelling place." 1 Chronicles 16:27
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