A Tribute: Home on the Range

After years of waiting for our house to sell, the Lord began showing us why we needed to stay here.  Walking by faith means waiting on His leading even if He doesn't ever give us the "why" but sometimes, in His mercy, He does give us a glimpse into the why.

I believe with all my heart that several reasons He may have had us stay here are as follows:
1) To open doors for my husband's career that would not have opened had we moved earlier
2) So that my daughter could discover and experience a fabulous school unlike any other anywhere 
3) So that we could get to know certain people out here who have become beloved friends to our family
4) To open doors for ministry
5) To continue the refining process, especially in the areas of contentment, patience, and faith
I'm sure there are others, but those are a few obvious ones I can see.

Financially, a move right now does not make much sense.  Our loss on this home "investment" is into the six figures now, so we have much less equity to put into the next house.  A comparable home in our target relocation area would cost us almost twice as much as this house.  Private Christian schools in that area are also twice as expensive as our child's current school and do not appear to be nearly as good of a fit for our daughter as her current school. While my husband would save on some commuting expenses to work, I would more than offset those savings if we decide to continue sending our daughter to the same school requiring me to drive 3-4 hours each day.  We would need to pay city taxes and higher HOA dues in the city.   Yet, interest rates are at an all time low, and the housing market is experiencing a brief flurry of activity, so in that sense, it's a good time to move.

Finances aside, my husband has been commuting over two hours a day for almost five years, so he deserves a break on the commute, and we really would like to be closer to church and church friends.  It's so hard to invite neighbors to church when your church is 25 minutes away.  You simply cannot put a price tag on quality of life and God's direction.

When my husband first suggested that we list again, my morning Bible Study for that day was from Exodus 33.

Exodus 33:14-16 (NIV)

¹⁴ The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
¹⁵ Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. ¹⁶ How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

More than anything, I just want to be in God's will.  If He wants us to stay here and has plans to use us here for His glory, then let us stay.  If he wants us to go, then let His presence go with us, and let His face shine on us.  No matter where we live, may we be content and focused on His glory and committed to doing His will.

It seems like over the past few months, my eyes have been opened to all the benefits of living where we do.  After detaching myself from his house when we first listed it for sale, I stopped enjoying it. Instead of begrudging this place, I have now finally begun to truly appreciate it.  I sincerely regret my failure to be content here during those years of trying to sell the house.  The things I like best about where we live now are very hard to find inside the city, so I am determined to appreciate them now while I still have them.

One of the benefits of living on a golf course is the easy access to golf.  Our kids have begun to take quite an interest in golf, so should we stay, I can really see them developing their golfing skills out here.

While my husband was with them at the neighborhood driving range on Father's Day, the old traditional western song, "Home on the Range", popped into my head.



So, I couldn't resist my silly tendency of altering the lyrics to timeless country songs to tell my story.  So, here is my tribute to our current abode to the tune of "Home on the Range" with pictures I have taken recently around our house.

HOME ON THE RANGE

Oh, give me a home where the PRO V1's roam,

I sell golf balls as a side business.

 And the deer and the soft bunnies play.

Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

 
How often at night when the heavens are bright
With the light from the glittering moon,

Have I stood there amazed, with praise as I gazed,
  And God's glory did cause me to swoon.

Home, home on the range
Where the deer and a pair of ducks play,

 
 

Where sometimes is heard, "Fore!" or another golf word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.

Where the trees turn so red, and the squirrels are well fed,

 
 

The landscape so spacious and green

That I would not exchange my home on the range

For any house in the city I've seen.

Home, home on the range
Where a doe on our swing set does play,

Can you find the doe in this photo?

Where often is heard the sweet songs of a bird
As she tends to her babies all day.

Oh, I love those wild flow'rs in this dear land of ours

 
 

The children, I love to hear squeal.

And I love taking walks with dear friends and our talks

After sharing a fine bovine meal.

Home, home on the range
From God's path for us we dare not stray.

Where His peace reigns through life's sorrows or pains,
And girls can play limbo all day.