😎🐫🎤 Christ’s peace and presence be with you. On Saturday I signed a document that will draw to a close one of the five longest chapters in my life so far. After 27 ½ years, I signed a contract to sell our home. At the time I purchased our home, I never imagined I would be there that long. It was a first-time homebuyer house. I figured maybe 5-7 years tops. But God had greater plans. This home sheltered us through my divorce. It became a kid hangout. You would think I was a Kool-Aid mom. (Not everyone is old enough to understand that reference.) Me, the girls, and their friends spent so many hours in the kitchen. The kitchen was carpeted almost the whole time I owned the house. We would sit on the floor, with our backs against the cabinet doors and talk, sing, play games, cry, count a jug full of change (Becca)…we did so much living in the kitchen, other than just cooking. When we renovated the kitchen 4 years ago, I had to laugh when I saw the lower cabinet doors. We had sat up against them so much, that they had a slight bow to them. Our living room is where Brian’s dad married us, standing in front of our fireplace. There were many good times, some challenging times, and a few moments I would like to forget.
We’ve been slowly clearing out our home and I’m now at the point where I’m taking the last items out of a room and vacuuming the floor for the last time. Oh, the memories that fill my mind as I do the final sweep. I tell myself that I’m okay…I’ve had 3 years to prepare for this. There is one thing that I’m leaving in each room until we do the final walkthrough the day of the closing, a crucifix. Yes, the rooms are becoming bare, but when I took one of the crucifixes off the wall, the room felt very empty. I put Jesus back on the wall and decided He will fill and protect our home as long as possible.
It truly is amazing how the presence of Christ can fill a room. Better yet, how He can fill our hearts and lives. Kind of like feeling the emptiness of the room when I took the crucifix down, I don’t want to feel or even imagine my life without the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in it. The depth of His love is match by none other. The breadth of His mercy and grace is beyond compare.
Lord, thank you for this chapter in my life, the blessings beyond measure, your never-failing love, and the opportunity to share you with others. May they feel Your presence and experience Your blessings in a lifechanging way. May the Lord of all lords, bless you and hold you ever near, in the warmth and safety of His embrace.
Bless others and be blessed.
Shelly :0)
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#MichaelW.Smith – Draw Me Close
Third Day Devotions 