our new house

So interesting that in the middle of all this, we are building a house and just broke ground last week. A house seems insignificant in many ways compared to life. I was really hoping that we would have the house done by April 3rd which is Esther's due date. Isn't it funny how we make our plans, but ultimately God directs our steps? Even though it seems insignificant, i know it is not. I am thankful how God sets plans in motion. When we started designing the house, we had no idea we would be here today. It has taken the pressure off of Brian to finish by then. I'm not saying that Esther is not going to make it, but just that we really don't know what is going to happen tomorrow or the next day. We will just move ahead, take the pressure off, and see what God has in store. One day at a time is how we are living now, and it is good. God provides for our daily needs.........each day. Not giving me what i will need next week or the next, but today. I trust in his promises for providing for us, giving us grace, and new mercies each morning. What a reality and hope to depend on! I have thought alot about life, and the journey that God has each of us on. I have friends battling cancer, friends who have lost loved ones, friends with children who are battling cancer and other illnesses, struggling with relationship issues. When we decide to follow Jesus, he does not promise a pain free life. He promises that he will walk with us through it all, and i think when we actually experience that, ahh it is so beautiful and comforting. Jesus is acquainted with grief and pain. So what a better person to have walk with us through our own pain....one who has been there. And in the life of the believer, nothing is insignificant. Some friends have said, that their own struggle in light of what i am going through just seems.......... fill in the blank....silly, selfish. And i say again, no, not silly or selfish, in the life of the believer, nothing is insignificant! God is using EVERYTHING for our good, and for his glory...especially the painful journey. And every journey is different.

Ginny Owens has a song called, If You Want Me To that says:

"the pathway is broken and the signs are unclear,

and i don't know the reason, why you brought me here,

but just because you love me the way that you do

im gonna walk through the valley if you want me to..............

it may not be the way i would have chosen,

when you lead me through a world that's not my home.

But you never said it would be easy,

you only said i'd never go alone."

And when it comes down to it, we all have a choice of how we will walk the journey through life. We can go it alone and suffer on our own, or we can take Jesus' hand that is held outstretched to us, and walk it with him, and let him carry us when needed. I tell you what, every day i am so thankful that i have Jesus in my life, to walk with me. I am not, nor will i ever be strong enough on my own. A dear friend sent me the verses 1 Peter 1: 3-9. She said they were rocking her world, so i thought dang, i should read that! Lo and behold Jesus rocked my world with it too. I enourage you to read it. Peter says that we have a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for us! We rejoice in what we know is coming - salvation - eternal life! We rejoice in this, though "now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Each of us are on the journey that God has us on and it is all part of our inheritance that God will redeem. The good the bad and the ugly. I believe nothing will be wasted. It is part of who we are and God is getting eternity ready for us.

So we are building a house, and that is exciting. It is part of our journey. God knows, he knew we would be here and i am thankful for what he will do in the middle of it all. God is good all of the time.

Blessings~ Monica