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My mother, with whom my husband and I have been living, is in a retirement facility. At some point in time, a decision will have to be made regarding the house that we live in.
I remember the time when my mother asked us to move in with her if she bought a house with a granny apartment after her husband passed away. I was hesitant at first. A lot of changes would have to take place: selling our house, selling Mom's house, and moving two households into one dwelling. In the end, Mom bought a house overlooking the bay. We have a view of the water from our front living room and kitchen windows. A forest engulfs the house in the back. As the saying goes, we have the best of both worlds! I love living here, but previously unknown health issues with my mother and husband became apparent as we lived together. I know that my time here is running out.
I found myself being anxious and wondering what the future will hold. But then, I read the devotional entitled "The Secret" by Lynne Phipps that was like a balm to my soul. She wrote:
- Today, none of us knows what may come. But each of us can rest assured that amidst any losses that we may now be enduring or that the future may bring, we can honestly partake in giving thanks, especially if we focus not upon the loss, but upon the new opportunities that will lie before those whom we miss.
I went outside and sat in a chair on the back porch. It was quiet. The sun was shining and clouds moved slowly across the blue sky. My eyes beheld the various trees that embrace the property at the back of the house. A rabbit hopped across the driveway into the bush. With tears in my eyes, I conveyed my fears to God.
Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (NASB)
I came to realize that the hardest task in my life was to let go and let God take care of the things that I couldn't change. I thanked God for the seven years to date that I have had the privilege of living here. He already knows what will happen. I just have to let go and trust in Him.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (NASB)
Are you worried or anxious about something that is happening in your life right now? Talk to the One Who keeps everything in order. God knows our future and what is best for us.
Prayer: Lord, we thank You that we can come and talk to You about our fears. Sometimes, You answer right away, and sometimes, there is silence. Lord, in that silence, help us to trust in Your good timing. Help us to trust in Your wisdom and love for each and every one of us. Amen.
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Thank you for your devotional!
Thank you for a word in season. Your words are reassuring.
Thanks, Rosemary, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
So glad we serve a sovereign Savior Rosemary. Great thoughts. Praying for you.
Thank you for writing the devotional. I, too, am in flux and needing to make changes, that I don’t want to. Thanks for reminding me to trust and obey.
Dear Rosy:
You truly have summed it up perfectly. Trust in the Lord always. He will prosper you always for the good.
May God grant you His sweet peace forever.
God is so good. My old dog died recently and I miss him so much. I finally found the scripture you are talking about (Phil.4 6-8) yesterday. Today I just finished reading it again and then I read your article. Yes, Lynne’s words yesterday helped me too. How does the Lord orchestrate everything to happen that is so interconnected? He is amazing. You will find peace too.
(B.C.)
Hi Rosemary,
Yours was a very timely message for me. I’ve had to clear out my belongings I had stored for the past two years.
Now, I had a job to do – a job I did not relish, but it was time to do it.
Only for the presence of God’s grace was I able to let go of treasures that I no longer can use. I consoled myself with the assurance that the items would find their way into the hands of someone or other who needs them. He gave me the strength to let go.
Rosemary,
You have beautifully expressed the thoughts, fears, and hopes of many of us. We live on a ranch in Texas and are at this point healthy and able to remain here. As I read the description of your property, I thought…just how we feel about living here….trees, animals, water…how blessed we are…and as you said, how blessed to have been here as long as we have. Thanks to you…and Lynne.
(Texas)
I relate to your message so much Rosy.
All I can do is pray with you, and say ‘Enjoy every moment while you have it.’
God always expects us to let go and let Him take control. That is so hard. I, for one, like to have control of what is happening in my life.
We are having to make major decisions about our future home. It is not easy. We want to make the best choice from those we have, but there is no guarantee.
So hang in there gal. IF we let Him, God will provide for us no matter what….
Dear Rosemary:
I as read your devotional today, I thought of my own situation with all the changes that are happening.
I am /also getting married. We believe that God has brought us together, and that this is the next step. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but I can trust Him.
The thought of moving, was like a mountain ahead of me, as I thought of it some time ago. However God has changed my thinking, and I know that with his strength I can do this. I have too much stuff, so I am trying to get rid of things I don’t need.
I know who holds the future. The verses you quoted have been favorites of mine for many years.
Wishing you all God’s blessings.
Thank you for your devotional concerning your family home, your mother,and your husband and your health issues.
My beloved old mother-in-law lives with my husband and me. Four years ago, we invited her to live with us as it was becoming too risky for her to live independently in her apartment (her choice). We provided a bed-sitting room for her, and modified our home to have safety features installed.
It has been a privilege to have her with us. She has a huge extended family who still come to visit regularly and seek her wisdom. A Godly, spunky woman is cheerful and grateful. With her current decline in health, we do not know how long she will continue to thrive in our home.
Your verses from Philippians and Proverbs give us assurance of God’s Sovereignty and Grace in what will happen.
Thank you for your devotional. I often list the “Thought for Today: in my journal and add them to my emails.
(B.C.)
Dear Rosemary, when I was growing up, my father, who was in the RCAF, was posted to a new place frequently, and my dear mother had to ‘up stakes’ and relocate with three kids. That happened nearly 20 times before Dad retired. When I married a couple of years later, my husband’s work place never changed, and after a few years I began to fret for some reason. My background had not prepared me to be settled in one place only.
I began to think that life would become boring, repetitive and dull if I never moved again. How the Lord changed that incorrect thinking! He showed me, ever so gently, how nothing ever stays exactly the same. It was a wonderful lesson to learn (although it took a long time!). Now it is much easier to lean on Him and know that He will be with me no matter what changes come my way. He is so wonderful that way! It is still a lesson that I need to be reminded of often enough. Your story is a deeply touching reminder. It always amazes me how much another person’s story can help me with my own challenges. Blessings on you not only for sharing your challenge, but also for being willing to share your fears. Thank you for such openness. God bless.
Hello Rosemary.
I have read your devotionals but this one I can’t let go by as I read how you found some answers for what lies ahead.
Many years ago, after having moved, my husband took sick — something we hadn’t “planned for”. His system shut down. A few days later I woke up at early and I prayed for the Lord to take him home. The
doctor called me to say he had died exactly half an hour after I had prayed.
We face making decisions, and I don’t know how non-Christians do without having the Lord to go to for the help they need. He has helped me every step of the way and there will be more. At 92, I still drive my own car, and am blessed, for the most part, with good health. Major decisions we nad already made, so I don’t have to concern myself with those. I am blessed beyond. I will pray for you face the times ahead. The Lord will be with you all the way. God loves you and so do I.
(Ca.)
Dear Rosemary,
Loved reading your peaceful, contended devotional.
Hi Rosy,
I really feel for you and I can’t imagine what you have been and are going through.
We wish you all the best and you are right we can talk to God about our problems.
Blessings.
Great message for all of us, Rosemary. May God bless and keep you all – We know He will!
Thank you for your sharing.