Monday, October 31
They countered.
We accepted.
To close two weeks before Christmas.
Or sooner. Maybe.
Who thought on Day 1
of this series that we’d
have a contract on Day 31?
Now we’re having second thoughts.
But I’m remembering yesterday’s tears…
and that anyway it’s not the place
where we ultimately end up
but the Person in whom we dwell.
This move has caused a breaking–an uprooting, a physical tearing of our family. We’ve all been re-potted. We’ve never been separated, and it’s been oh so hard. Yet we’ve also sensed a tighter binding, and we’re re-membering the pieces. Blessed are those whose hearts are broken, for they shall beat as one. The story is not finished.
Hope and I are about out of breath but filled, wheat humming in the rush of our running, hearts pounding alive in our ears. I was born in the middle of a wheat harvest and all this gold will be harvested tomorrow and its kernels will run through our open hands. There isn’t one stalk in this field that’s afraid to be cut.
It’s the broken hearts that find the haunting loveliness of a new beat–it’s the broken hearts that live a song that echoes God’s.
~Ann Voskamp in The Broken Way, p. 271
Today I’ve got a copy of The Broken Way to give away. Just leave a comment telling me which of the last 31 Days of Moving Reflections posts is your favorite (they’re short) and why. I’ll choose a winner the old-fashioned way (drawing names from a basket) on Monday, November 7
I imagine this journey has at times seemed both too fast, and yet a bit of forever. You’ve come such a long way in distance and emotions in this month. I don’t know that I can pick a favourite from your posts — maybe this one, because it breathes of your acceptance of the transition and all its accompanying changes.
Praying that you will soon feel grounded again, settled in a new home that becomes a place of comfort and security.
Sweet. I *am* starting to get excited about settling. This place will be about half an hour from a wildlife refuge and a half hour from the beach. My husband figures the Everglades is only a couple miles (though not the entrance.) And I swear I keep hearing parrots or parakeets outside. I haven’t been able to locate them to take a photo.
Putting your name in the basket. Or maybe my Tigers cap. 🙂
This one is my favorite. I think we all tend to have second thoughts when. Asking big decisions. Or at least I do 🙂 Praying you will fill with peace and assurance as you settle in.
We are definitely having to make some tradeoffs. And we forgot about my husband’s weight bench and my recumbent bike when we said yes. We’ll be purging some more, I think. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. 🙂
Sandy, Day 24 is my favorite. Maybe because of the beautiful imagery or storytelling. Maybe because it reminds me of taking the TSP The Joyful Partnership of Poetry/Memoir with you. Wishing you all the best.
Ahhh, the Haiku Play Day. I wrote those for class but figured they fit here, too. 😀
This journey you have shared has brought so much hope and encouragement as you have sought the Lord and waited on Him in the midst of breaking and loss. This one shows His provision and points to possibilities yet unseen of how and why He led you to this house (soon to be home) and it blesses me the most as I see the unfolding of His goodness toward you and yours.
“points to possibilities yet unseen of how and why He led you to this house”
This gave me chill bumps, Pam. Some things are seen only in retrospect, and now I’ll be watching and recording how that all unfolds, too. Thanks so much for coming by. 🙂
I’ve loved them all, but was so moved when you announced the big “close.” As I read, I could literally feel God’s hand moving, His will being done.
Blessings, Sandra!
Oh Martha… that is so encouraging. We’ve been having those second thoughts, which I’m sure are normal, and I keep coming back to that “feeling.” Blessings, friend!
This is my favorite for the word picture you painted reminded me of when you repot a plant you tear it out, shake it around then put it in a new and larger pot. Then you wait for growth to appear. We wait with you for new surroundings to nourish your spirit and soul.
Oh my word, Sharon. That’s beautiful. (I wonder if the plant feels pain… )
I love Day 24. It speaks of who you are and best reflects you. I have loved following along this whole journey from Michigan to Florida. Thank you for your words.
The haikus strike again. 🙂
Thanks so much for taking this journey with me, Mary. I’m thinking it’s not over yet. So stay with me, okay?
Did someone say haiku?
Ann’s The Broken Way
A journey of re-membrance
A balm to the soul
Amen. xo
Amen! I love this.
You will be great in south Florida I certainly was after pain tears
Hi, Peggy. I’m so glad to see you here. Welcome.
Change is always hard, isn’t it? And often painful. If only we keep our eyes on the prize of growth through the process.
Congratulations, Peggy! You won. 😀
You know, the continuity of an online community helped during my family’s relocation saga… your purposeful jotting down of heartbeats during the hard bits must’ve been a binding tie for you. I’m many daze late for the drawing, yet supporting you from afar.