What I Learned From NOT Moving

I never thought I’d be unpacking the boxes I packed to move, here in the very same house. Just a month ago I was thrilled with the new home we were buying and all was going smoothly. Then, very suddenly, things started to fall out of place and it wasn’t smooth anymore. Just days ago, it all finally unravelled and we found out we wouldn’t actually be moving…at least not right now.

So here I sit, in a house that is much emptier than two months ago, and our hearts are a bit empty too. I am sad we won’t have our dream of owning a farm (right now), living on a beautiful piece of property in the county, and having a dream house. The dreams we had for our new home and the plans just vanished. Yet God is on the throne. He is good. Always.

Yet, I realize that for awhile I couldn’t see the forest for the trees. I was only seeing the things right here and not the bigger picture. I was becoming consumed with worry over every detail. Not a place God wanted me. I am glad to have that part over with.

I have been trying to sort through the emotions. Was it idolatry? Was I putting this dream before God’s dream? Maybe I was. Was it coveting? Was I starting to want things above Him? Perhaps. I am truly not sure why this happened, but I know one thing. It was clearly from the Lord. We had just prayed for Him to make things clear and within hours the deal fell through.

I know I need to also focus on contentment. Living for now, in the now, content with the now. I am never promised tomorrow.

So much to be learned from this situation, that wasn’t at all what I thought I would be learning. Most of all I can see that now more than ever…I want to live simply. Moving had made things so complicated. I was so distracted with all the details. Now I will take a breather and truly focus my attention on Him.

With so much purged out of our house already, and stuff packed away, this is truly a lesson in simplifying. Some of the boxes may never get unpacked, because I realize it is truly just stuff. I haven’t missed it while it was gone. So I will leave it there awhile.

Right now mostly, I am thankful that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow- and He is on the throne.

A few details…
NEXT month I will be speaking at Virginia’s State Home Schooling Convention in Richmond. Please visit the website for more details. I’d love to see you there!

I also have been working diligently on Simply Homeschool: The Second Edition– completely updated, revised, and expanded. I have doubled the last eBook in size and can’t wait to release it in the next few weeks. So be on the lookout!

All Glory to Him always…

And may I remember to be like Paul who wrote, 
“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