Place Matters

While vacationing in Virginia, my husband and I came a cross the Gilmore Farm.  On the farm is the restored home of George Gilmore, a former slave at Montpelier who lived there with his wife Polly and their family.

George Gilmore built the house in the aftermath of emancipation  from slavery.  This small one and a half story home provided shelter for a family busy with farming. 

 The tall (6'4") Mr. Gilmore would have had to bend over to walk about the single room on the first floor.
After living in a slave cabin with much less room, I think Mr. Gilmore would not mind bending to walk about the home he built for his freed family.  Place matters; a place to lay your head after a long day among crops.

Place matters; a place to share meals and play time with family. 

Place matters; the warmth from a fire you built for food and family - for living and learning...

I have lived in several homes in my adult life.  With each move, making a home involved more than brick and mortar preparation - hearts ultimately make homes...

Place matters - my heart home influences the atmosphere in my physical home.

I am yielding to the Master Builder as my place (my heart) continues to be built.  Place matters.

Trusting the Process

While working together on challenging projects, a friend encouraged me to "trust the process."  In recent weeks, the words have taken on an expanded meaning.  The season of Lent brought me face to face with areas of my heart that require transformation. 

A lingering question for me is: how much space in my heart is available for Christ's Lordship?

When I am:

distracted by responsibilities;

worried about outcomes; and

amazed by evidences of grace and mercy...

I continue to learn to trust the process because the Lord is:

Declaring the end and the result from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose.           Isaiah 46:10

Thank You Notes

As I continue on the road to listing 1000 gifts, I am overflowing this day.  My thank you notes burst from a grateful heart as I thank God for:

#152  ears to hear requested guidance

#153  the voice of gratitude sharing good news of diminished pain

#154  the winsome voice declaring today's arrival of prayed for documents

#155  hearing my name at the airport; turning to see my true love come to surprise me

#156  dear friend's prayer while on the road to serve up love

#157  love gift of presence for cousin in a hospital bed

#158  encouraging words received and given

#159  singing out loud and loudly in the car to Him who sits on the Throne

#160  sunshine on my skin

#161  sister talk about growing wise