Last Saturday, my birthday, I woke to read these words: “At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home” (Zephaniah 3:20).
With the kids out of school for the summer, I haven’t had much time to write for this blog. But that isn’t the only reason I’ve been quiet. Instead of spending time each day reading and writing, I’ve spent hours cleaning out closets, filling bags of out-grown clothes and toys for the thrift store, and packing up bins of game pieces and legos and building blocks to store in the garage. The idea, I think, is to make our house look as if actual children do not live here. This is a home for fantasy, catalog children (they make their beds, they keep one toy decoratively on the shelf), and this house … it can be yours!
Our house is for sale. My husband has a start date for a new position with his company. Next week, I will try to wrest six-months of medical records from my doctor and hope, as I enter the third trimester of this pregnancy, that I’ll soon find someone to accept them. Someone who will say, “Oh, yes, we’ve only just met, but I will deliver your baby in a few weeks.” (What if Mary had had to find room for a mountain of medical records on the back of that donkey?)
We don’t know exactly where we’ll end up. Next week, my husband and I fly to Philadelphia. From there, we’ll roam the countryside searching for the home God has promised us.
Home.
I’ve often told friends that living in Florida has felt like a two-year vacation. This is both a good thing and a hard thing. Vacation is a restful, enjoyable place to be. The scenery is beautiful, the pace is slow. The sun always shines, and palm fronds rustle in the breeze.
However, even the best vacations can last too long. Then, you find yourself longing for home. Resenting the emptiness of days devoted only to rest. You dream of that place where your roots are planted deep.
For two years, I have cried out, “Please, I want to go home.” I didn’t mean Chicago. I didn’t mean Texas, where I grew up, or any other place that I could point to on a map. Spurred on by God’s voice, his whispered promises, I knew there was a home for me.
“See, I will bring them … and gather them … Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor … I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble” (Jeremiah 31: 8-10).
We are headed home.
oh will pray the Lord shows you the perfect place for you all during your time there. if only we were still in MA…..
i once had a baby with no medical records
OR home- wouldn’t recommend it but it can be done. he turned out ok:)
so excited for you and praying you find the exact place you’ve been
waiting for. i know i can’t wait to see it!
Praise God!!!!
Can’t wait to visit you when you reach your home! Excited for you. Remember visiting Kelli, Shawn and baby Tristan as we moved from beach house to condo? And when you left we moved to base BOQ before finally arriving at Kelli’s new home! Love you!
So wait, you don’t know what city you will live in? Jonathan can live anywhere? Or you will live in Philly, you’re just picking a house? If I might suggest a city…I think you should try Wheaton. Lovely. Academic. Nice people. Close to Chicago. You can become Anglicans with us!
Danielle, I love Wheaton. And Anglicans. 🙂
Jonathan will still have a home office, but he will probably drive in to his Wilmington, DE office once or twice a week. We’ll be looking for a place in the countryside around Philly/Wilmington. I’d like enough room for visitors, a garden, and a few chickens(!).
Did you know I was once a finalist for a faculty position at Wheaton? That was three years ago, but it feels like a lifetime ago. My life is so different now than I would have imagined then. In so many good ways. Hmmm, I might write it all up in a blog post one of these days.
I loved this post (and your most recent one). Again, you are such a beautiful writer. I, too, long for home. I’d like to believe God has one for our family, too, here on earth. I just wish it could be a little closer to family:) I am so happy for you guys that you found such a great place in PA! It sounds wonderful and I hope it’s a safe and happy place where all 4 of your kiddos can blossom.
And I hope Thad enjoys a delicious birthday cake next year at the new bakery!