Eight years ago, my husband and I sold our home and moved with our then three-year-old son into an apartment.
We had both recently come to faith in Christ and felt led to make some drastic changes in our lives. God told us we were not on the right path. We had a lot to learn and to grow. And He had to turn our lives upside down to set us on the right course. The journey from then to now has been very challenging and filled with many ups and downs.
During that time, my husband resumed his professional studies while working full time, then started his own accounting firm. We had two more children. After the birth of our third, I left my career in Software Development to be at home with, and homeschool, our children.
We moved three more times during all that. We had some good landlords and some that were a challenge to work with. We lived in houses that met our needs but also had major issues with plumbing, pests, mold, etc.
Many blessings for sure, but also an intense and difficult time in which we were stretched and had to rely very heavily on God to endure.
Last month, we had the opportunity to purchase a home of our own again and will be moving soon. If you’ve been following along since last year, then you know how big a deal this is for me! Yet, while I’m happy that this wait is over and we’re excited to start this new chapter, I have to admit that I’m not as thrilled as I thought I would be.
In reflecting on why that is, God reminded me that the joy is not in getting to the destination. It’s not in the wait coming to an end. The joy is in the journey and in walking with Him through the wait. He is the treasure!
fear not, for I am with you;
Isaiah 41:10
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I took to my faith journal to document this important reminder. I created a page using some watercolours, as well as the March faith art box by Creative Retreat Kits (referral link) called Just As He Said.
The devotional for this kit is based on the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; which He foretold and it happened just as He said it would. The author reminds us that God’s people are a people of waiting and hoping. She encourages us to remember the promises of God while we’re waiting.
Though it may seem dark right now in the wait, remember that God is faithful. He is working in the wait. He is with us in the wait. He is helping, comforting and strengthening us, and then, before we know it, the dawn will come just as He promised.
I hope you’re encouraged by this reminder of His faithfulness. I encourage you to draw near to Him in the wait. He is with you and He is working. Just as He said.
