New Providence

Closing Day!

Final touch-ups and good-byes to our New Providence home - the loved on and fixed up foreclosure.  We met three years ago, overgrown with brush and tall weeds, it's beauty hidden within.

Yet my husband once again saw something I didn't - or didn't want to see - POTENTIAL!!! He could envision what wasn't but could be. I focused on the defects. It was Brent's enthusiasm verses my reluctance. Each time we visited this quiet two acres, it grew on me despite the floral wallpaper and royal blue countertops. It was wrongly dressed at the time, but it's structure was perfectly built for our family's liking.

I slowly saw potential and then allowed myself to dream a bit. Explore possibilities. But just as my excitement grew, the door closed. The bank said "no", and I figured that was our answer to give up the hunt.

Brent wasn't taking "no" for an answer and kept a close eye on it.  I didn't understand why. 

However, the door that had been closed shut in our faces began to slowly creep open.  We waited and watched until it looked like a green light - we made a second offer and the left-behind house became ours.

With some face lifts here and there, this 70's style home became the nicest home we've ever lived in.

Today cleaning the kitchen sink, I remembered Austyn saying as she washed her hands under the new faucet for the first time, "I feel so rich!"  We never had a new faucet and sink before.

I get attached to houses. It must be because we keep buying older houses and putting so much work and love into it that it makes it hard to part ways. I guess I need to buy a newer home next time!

As I completed the last tasks of cleaning, I let myself cry, letting feelings do what God created them to do - FEEL.  No shame in that.  Just gratitude, tears turned into praise to God and prayers for the next family who will walk these halls and live behind these doors and create new family memories together. 

It was a time of closure I needed; saying good-bye to a friend. 

This home is where our family bonded like never before. (sorry for all the ever's and never's) We were on our own.  New terrain.  I will cherish the memories this house has created for us - laughter, safety, fellowship, adventure, milestones...a home away from home. We leave fingerprints behind, all the sweat and painting and staining and trimming and cleaning and fixing to pass on to a new family to enjoy.

I know home is where your heart is or where your "people" are, but I've been gifted with yet another house that has become a dear companion. This one for this specific travel and season of life. 

I will miss the trees I've looked up to as I waited to hear from God. 

The window that gave me a glimpse of God's perfect splendor each morning.  The barn that spurred on creativity and play in my girls. The campfire that brought friends together.  

The kitchen that welcomed teens for a meal before Bible study.  The stove that warmed our home and hearts.  And the screened porch that invited us to stop and sit and enjoy sights and sounds.

Sights and sounds such as: the beauty of deer grazing in our backyard. The sighting of a little raccoon. The sound of a screaming fox in the middle of the night (now that is a story to tell- someone call 911!!!) A coyote walking by in broad daylight.  A confident fox sitting on a stump watching Cooper bark at him ten feet away. (I think the fox was sizing him up for dinner) And lastly, I swear I saw a wolf on our property. Brent doesn't believe me, and others claim there are no wolves in Georgia but I beg to differ.

I'm thankful because this house is another example of God's provision in our lives.

I never really thought about our home's address and the meaning of the word - Providence. 

"The protective and spiritual care of God"

In fact, the road was named New Providence.  It was God's NEW way of caring for us, protecting us, and watching over our family.  I wonder...how many times did I say, "We live on New Providence"?  A description that we live in and under God's care! 

This house had been orphaned and left empty. We needed a home. Even though at first the bank turned us down, God had a plan of new providence for us.

All I can say is....I'm thankful as I let go.