The House with the White Picket Fence

Those of you who take the time to read our family Scrapbook blog, know about everything that is going on with the Manata family right now. You know that we have been in escrow for the sale of our home in Escondido, California for a little over six months now, and it has been messy.

We found out yesterday that the sellers of the house we were supposed to be moving into in Grand Rapids, Michigan, wanted out of the deal (and that's just the tip of the ice berg. Today brought troubles of it's own). They have been very patiently floating two mortgages, and just couldn't wait any longer. We wish them the best!

I think, as women especially, we get these ideas in our heads of the way things "ought to be". We all want to be the perfect wives and the perfect mothers in our perfect little houses with the white picket fences. We want our houses to be homes, and we want those homes to be inviting. The last thing in the world I thought I wanted was to go from owning a home in sunny, overpriced California to renting a home in cold, affordable Grand Rapids, Michigan. Yet, it is looking more and more like that is what we are going to do.

Do you want to hear something funny, though? Before I married Paul, I distinctly remember having a conversation with a co-worker of mine at the time. We were talking about my desire for a husband, and what I was looking for in a leader and companion. I told her that one thing was a "must", he had to be a Californian-for-lifer -- "I won't leave here," I said, "it's my home. Always has been, always will. That's one thing I won't compromise on (among other things, of course)." Then, (drum roll) I met and married Paul. Now here we are, two years later, and I can't wait to sell this beloved house of mine and get out of here! It is absolutely amazing how God will change your heart to conform to His will.

So, yesterday I wanted the house with the white picket fence. Today, I still want the house, but for some reason, renting it doesn't sound like such a bad idea :-) I am so thankful that God has more power over my heart than I do. Who knows what we may end up with tomorrow, or where He will take us? My prayer is that He will just continue to adjust my heart accordingly. As long as He's handling the arrangements, I know I have nothing to fear.