Hebrews 11:1
In our search for a house, my husband and I visited dozens of houses and scrolled through many, many more online.
At least three times, I walked into a house and thought, "Yes, this is it. This is where I want my family to live." We could not buy any of those three houses for one reason or another.
When I walked into the house we would eventually purchase, my thoughts were probably some where along the lines of "Hmmm... this is okay. I guess we could live here."
After asking for lots of advice from others, we made our offer and the work really started. We were scrounging for documents, making phone calls, and meeting with all sorts of people for around three months.
I dreamed of paint colors and where each piece of furniture I owned would go. Slowly, I fell in love with the house (all while trying not to get my hopes up since we'd had a contract fall through once already.)
Even as things felt unsure and when all the paperwork seemed endless, the whole process still went surprisingly smoothly.
During the Limbo period of wanting this house so badly, but not wanting my heart broken, I was inspired to make a wreath shaped like a rabbit for Easter. I had the design in my head and slowly purchased the materials as they went on sale. Maybe it's silly, but I just loved the idea of making something to hang on the door of the house we were working so hard to get.
But I was afraid to make the wreath. I was afraid that if I finished it, I wouldn't have a door to hang it on.
Soon, though, I just couldn't stand it. I had to put all the flowers and bits of ribbon together. I knew they would make something beautiful. I also knew that God had something beautiful in store for us.
I realized that I had faith that the promise God had placed on my heart was going to be fulfilled. My family would have a house with a door to place my lovely little wreath on. Because of who God is and everything He's done for me and my family, because God is a Father who has always provided and never abandoned, my faith in Him is made strong.
So, I made my wreath.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God
Ephesians 2:8
That very day I watched all the puzzle pieces fall into place. I felt as if I'd taken a step out onto the water. Maybe I'd faltered, but there was always a hand to pull me up. The stress of it all may have felt a little like drowning, but signing the closing papers felt like the sweet relief of breath as Jesus pulled me up from the sea. (See Matthew 14:22-33)
Now, we own a house. I love this little house because of what it is, but also what it means to me.
According to Hebrews chapter 8, when Moses was given the plan for the tent which would serve as God's dwelling place on Earth, the plans were but a shadow of heavenly things, of God's true dwelling place. Then Jesus came and established the new covenant so that our hearts were holy enough for God to dwell in us. There is no longer any need for the tent or the temple.
Jesus has taken up His seat in Heaven in order to set up my eternal dwelling place because someday I won't need this house.
I love and serve a God who fulfills His promises and then makes better promises!
But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
Hebrews 8:6
Praise Him! Praise Him with me for my house and for my forever Home. And what better season is there to celebrate a new home than that of the Easter season? Spring is a marker of new life and, even better, Easter is a time to rejoice in the new life given to us by Jesus Christ! So, again, I say praise Him!
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