Better than the dream
My dream has always been to own a cabin in the mountains, a log home with a river or stream where I could walk in the trees or sit by the water and commune with God. I prayed, watched, waited, searched, cried, begged, pleaded, and hoped that one day the dream would come to fruition.
Sweet hubby and I took road trips to destinations where we thought we would like to retire. We prayed, looked online, drove country roads, and searched, yet nothing gave us peace and confirmation from the Holy Spirit. We continued to wait and pray until finally, after the long journey, God opened the door for our retirement home.
The home God gave us is in a subdivision and looks like your typical Southern brick home built in the early 2000’s with trees in the back yard. The property doesn’t seem to meet the criteria I had prayed for, the dream I thought would come true. However, God granted the desires of my heart in a way far better and more appropriate for this stage of my life. With my weakening eyesight, living in the mountains on a large piece of property would be a problem.
The visual of what I thought I wanted, isn’t what God granted — He gave something much better. God blessed with a home sitting on a little hill in a very nice subdivision with a drainage easement I hope we can convert to look like a stream. We’re turning the formal dining area with large picture windows into my office where I have plenty of light to read, study, and write. The house and yard are perfect for us, and we feel as though we are on a permanent vacation. My heart is blessed and filled with the goodness and loving-kindness of our wonderful God.
Do you have a dream, a heart-desire? The Psalmist tells us to delight in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our heart. God’s plans, His ways, are better than we can imagine. Trust Him. Delight in God, commit yourself to Him and watch the wonderful ways He will work.
“‘For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.’” ~ Jeremiah 29:11 (NET Bible)
“’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’” ~ Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV)
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it.” ~ Psalm 37:3-5 (NASB)
Photos by Lisa Buffaloe
Happy for you, Lisa! May God fill your new home with much love and laughter.
Thank you, sweet Julie! I hope you are doing well. Sending BIG hugs!
My dream has always been similar. We have looked and not found also. But as I look around at what I have I am so full of love and thankfulness sometimes I feel like I could just explode! I am so thankful to God for everything. As always, to God be all the glory!!
Oh Dave, can you imagine if we actually did explode from love and gratefulness? Wow, what a way to go! 😀 Rejoicing with you and praying for you! To God be all the glory!!!
Ohhh, I love this! Such a beautiful message in how He makes our dreams come true–His way.
I love you~
Thank you, sweet Julie. I love you too! 🙂 xoxo
We recently moved as well. I love living in the country but when we saw this home in a small subdivision within the city limits, I was sold! We have a double liot and a large undeveloped piece of land behind us. We see deer, chipmunks and squirrels, groundhog and turkey pass through our yard every day. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to live! God is so good! We love our forever home!
That’s wonderful, Deborah. I love God’s gifts through so many wonderful ways. God bless you!
This is very beautiful. Gratitude for God’s perfect gifts is important. I am learning that the work God has for me to do here takes precedence over my comfort. It’s not always a comfortable truth, but then again, the founder and perfectly of our faith leads by example.
Hi Margaret! So good of you to drop by and leave a comment. I hope you are doing well!
I’m so happy you waited on God & received His bounty in your new home!
God continues to amaze us, doesn’t He?
Psalm 37:4 is my scripture about my convertible car. I get such joy driving with the roof down, & give Him all the glory! We prayed while shopping for it, & God led us to it.
Best of health & blessings in your new home!
Thank you, sweet Cyn! Our God is such a wonderful Heavenly Father to bless us with so many good things. I love about your car. How fun! God bless you too! (I’m praying for y’all!)
When I read this, I’m filled with joy knowing that you’re happy and blessed by our Heavenly Father! God is good and your house looks so lovely and peaceful. I’m thankful for God’s many blessings Thanks for sharing your joy and how wonderful our Heavenly Father is. Love you sweet friend. XOXO
Thank you, sweet Tess! So glad we can share God’s joy together. Our Heavenly Father is such a wonderful Father! Love you, sweet friend! XOXOXO ((((((hugs))))))
I think it’s always wonderful to hear how our words matter. I’m house-hunting in a new state and meeting obstacle after obstacle. I woke feeling so calm today and with a divine-given peace that it will work out in its perfect way the way God usually (always!) does. This post feels like a special affirmation especially since it’s about finding a home. Thank you. And congrats on your new home.
Thank you, Charise. We went through so many obstacles before we were able to get this house. God knows exactly where we need to be and in His perfect timing. The road may have wild rides, but when we are traveling with Jesus, He always gets us through. God’s blessings to you!