My Home is Within You

"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." John 12:24

Springtime is for planting the fields in hopes of a rich harvest in the fall. It is also time for me to plant my heart firmly within my home and allow all outside experiences of faith to die for a time, so that I may receive new life in the Lord. I know that my heart will find comfort in this old house of mine, made warm by the love of my family and the memories that we have built here during the past eighteen years, and I know that the walls of this old house hold so much more than the memories of my own family. They hold a rich history of all of those who have lived here before my family. I’ve heard that history often repeats itself, so I am glad to be the recipient of a rich family history of love and life lived well in this antique home.

Neighbors like to share the story of Mrs. Dietz who grew up in this house and then never left until she died. She outlived four husbands and raised twelve children within these plaster walls. Rows and rows of canning jars lining the basement walls tell the story of the many happy hours she must have spent putting up food for her family, possibly standing over the hot kitchen stove on an autumn day, a glass of wine in one hand, and a wooden spoon in the other, as she stirred a pot of grape juice into jelly to share with family and friends, much like I do each fall. The worn and creaking staircase is a testament to those many teenaged feet that raced downstairs to escape the fury of a wronged brother in a heated sibling battle. And in my quiet moments, journaling in the front porch rocker, I imagine a woman from another time, sitting on this same porch, writing poetry and prayers as my neighbors tell me she enjoyed doing. I believe that a kindred spirit once lived in this house, made it her own sanctuary for raising a family in need of the Lord’s love and life, and now I must capture her spirit and continue her efforts at keeping this house a well-loved home rich in memories, prayer and love.

April 28th is the one-year anniversary of "Imprisoned in my bones-releasing my Inner Jeremiah." I think that I have sufficiently let my inner Jeremiah out and now it is time to draw it back in for a while in favor of the comfort and warmth of the inner life that I had abandoned for the outspoken world of the blogs. It’s time for me to step back into the life of wife and mother, mistress of this old worn down and much loved house, making it a joyful home for all who live here. The seed of my written words must die for a season, so that it may come to life in the vibrant hues and fragrant essence of a happy and faith-filled family and together we may realize the words of Psalm 87-“My home is within you.”

Thank you to all who have taken the time to read my words, and have commented, encouraged and supported me. I have had an absolute blast in both writing this blog and reading others. I have found that there is a wide world of love for God and others alive and kicking on the internet and it has brought me much joy!

All of you in the Christian blogging world will remain in my prayers. Feel free to enjoy the archives, email me anytime, and please, hold my family and I in your prayers. And when it becomes too much for me, and God is bursting the seams of my aching bones, I will return to the blogs to release Him once again.