For years I've longed for an old barn. There is something about them, that calls to me. Maybe it is the number of drives I took with my son when he was little just to get outta town. Driving looking at old barns, cows, abandoned trucks and broken down farm equipment that sat unattended for many years. I don't know why, I couldn't point to anything specific, but I so appreciate the history, the stories the adventures I imagine in old barns.
I think about the times when people didn't sit in front of a TV, Ipad, Kindle, phone... they got out and got their hands dirty. Families worked together to do chores and keep care of the home and animals. There is something very inviting to me about it all. I long for it.
It became something I longed for deeper after spending mornings with my calf, next to an old barn in the early mornings. The sun coming up over a hillside, dew on the grass, birds chirping and feeling sincerely a sense of peace and very much the presents of God. I drank it in, I couldn't wait to make the drive each morning to feel that overwhelming peace, joy and comfort of my mornings with my calf, next to a barn in a place where nothing intruded on the moment. To put into words the feeling is impossible.
While feeding my calf, I heard God say to me one morning "He will clear the way". I wasn't sure and don't know if I am sure today, what exactly that meant. But I hear it often and I trust there is a message and God is leading me with it.
This weekend Jeff and I were lead to a home and property that we've talked about on several occasions. God put the plan into action on Friday when my husband and the home owner had a conversation about the place. It wasn't the first conversation they'd had. And now we know, it won't be the last.
We went out Saturday morning to look at the house and property. We each have our "wish list" of things that we'd like in a home. Up until this point there was something missing from either both our lists or one of the others. Saturday when we arrived, there was something very unique in this property. It isn't grand, it isn't fancy. It is, just so abundantly peaceful and so incredibly right.
My husband hoped for a nice barn, a tack room a place for storing garden things and tools. He wants a place where he can get on the horses and just go. No need to saddle them up and haul them anywhere. And at this property, he found more than he desired. Right next door (as far as country properties go) is a roping arena and a couple who also rope - my husband is a team roper and also happens to be friends with this couple. There are things that will need to be "tweaked" to make it what he desires, but all of the pieces, the 'bones' are there.
Myself, I longed for the barn, for which it has - however it is nothing like I've envisioned and it made me realize something. I was envisioning an old barn, because that is what I've seen and know... although this barn is more up to date and modern, the love is still the same. The function, to house our animals, provide family bonding and teaching of responsibility, all there. Aweee - God is so good! He isn't only answering my prayer, He is exceeding in making it better than I imagined. And the same would go for the house. I longed for a wrap around porch where we could hang a swing and there would be a view, if only fields that go for miles. Ohhh Thank you Jesus. There is a porch swing and the view of fields, it not only goes for miles. It goes right to the bottom of the beautiful blue mountains! Out every angle I look something to strike me and remind me how awesome God is - Yes! He is so abundantly awesome. I desired a more modern house, something that didn't require a lot of work (although I was not opposed to it), I desired something energy efficient and tidy. Something with an open floor plan, all on one level and a dining room - the dining room where we are able to have a large table for family gatherings. Ohhh sweet Jesus I love that you not only know my desires, you know my heart and you go before us and you prepare for us a home that is beyond what we imagined.
As I sit here this morning in AWE of our God, I do so with such a grateful heart and gratitude for the gift of sharing this with my husband. My husband is not taking a moment of this gift for granted either. He is seeing how God has opened doors long before we were US and knew this is the direction we would go. We are both so intentional on seeking HIS WILL for us. And I truly believe God sees this. I believe He sees into my heart when I think about sharing with others how we had very little to do with this, but that GOD DID IT FOR US.....oh I can not wait to share and give Him all His due glory!
I can not wait to open our home to our family and friends and to share with them the PEACE, COMFORT, GIFT which is being placed in our hands. I can not wait to walk out into the garden and work in the soil feeling God standing over me smiling. Or feeding a calf early in the morning and hearing Him tell me "I CLEARED THE WAY". Oh thank you Jesus for being so evident in our journey, for being so giving, loving and generous in filling the desires of our hearts. And thank you Jesus for the incredible gift of a husband who is right beside me holding my hands in prayer as we pray GOD'S WILL for our lives.