I found and bought this pretty little dogwood garland on Etsy tonight. Isn’t it pretty? She’s a six footer.
I thought it would be the perfect bit of pretty to hang above the windows in our dining area. I think there is a rule of physics that says when you hang pretty flowers above your windows that the eye won’t notice the tired linoleum on the floors beneath your dining table.
I miss the hardwood floors in our old house. Lately I have been missing just about everything about the New Old House. I shed a tear for it every once in awhile, in the shadow of self-doubt where I’m hidden from view.
Did we do the right thing?
Did I really walk away from my home??
Where are we going and when will we ever get there?
Then I put on a strong face and carry on, another day and another step closer to that Harvest.
where all the flowers are sure to abound around us.
a beautiful crop.
a testament to our steadfastness.
Your harvest is gonna be beyond anything you have dreamed or requested.
Ephesians 3:20.
We sold our home 2 years ago to pursue our debt-free dream on property. My new rental home has stained carpet (not my stains either!) in the dining room, and I miss my pretty hardwood floors too. And I understand the doubts too.
This is beautiful! So simple and elegant.
I pray that this time of challenge shows you your inner strength and takes your creative ability to a whole new level (as you’ve so clearly proved with your kitchen redo!) and that your next home will be even more lovely than the last.
Erin,
Thanks for sharing that with us. I think there are times when we all go through those moments of question, moments of doubt regardless of our circumstances. We just have to keep our Faith strong and know that great things are around the corner.
Hugs to you friend…you have done such an amazing and brave thing for your family. I love the flowers 🙂
This post is just what I needed to read today, Erin. I’m currently really confused about what God is doing with my life, but I’m faithfully following. I can’t wait to see what our Jesus has in store.
You’re on your way to your promised land, Erin. “Don’t doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light.” Keep the faith, sister!
Kelly, I love that. I’m going to keep that at the front of my mind at all times!
I recently discovered your blog with the kitchen post. I have never sent a comment of this nature to a person I do not know; however, I truly wanted to encourage you.
For such a young person, you have such wisdom and such grace and such a heart for the Lord.
My husband and I are in our 40s. We have done the “big house” purchase twice and are still regretting it. However, with many children now and and owing more to the bank if we sell our house, we are stuck for a while. Hindsight is so 20/20.
My husband commutes 1 hour each way to work. Our children see him about 2 hours each day in the evening — if we let them stay up until 9 p.m. We have finally learned and will gladly sell our home to free ourselves of the burden of maintaining the home, having to commit so much financially to our house — that takes away from other things in life.
Time and life are so precious. Some things in life are more important than others.
Continue to trust the Lord for your decision. Remember Proverbs 3:5-6. He will direct your path. Also remember, to doubt is only to be human.
The Lord’s blessings.
Beautiful garland and wonderful thoughts to share with us. I just finished reading the book Radical, and thought of you. Jackie
Hey Erin,
I totally know how you feel. After having to walk away from my home during the divorce, I had nightmares for about a good 6-8 months about leaving the house (not the ex-husband, ha!). An even better house is in your future! This is a period of mourning for you, focus on your family and try not to worry about the “things” that were in the old house; for right now, home is where the heart is.
best,
lesa
Hi, I peek in here from time to time! You have a really great blog!
We may be moving into a house much smaller than the one we had. I would love for you to do a post on how you scaled down so much. I also have 2 homeschool kids, so while I’m excited about it, I also have some panic!!!
It is a cute, historical house, that needs a WHOLE LOT of work..another mild panic!