Sold...

Last night I had the strangest dream. We sold our house. We got exactly what we asked for it, it sold rather quickly, and it sold to a couple that we know. We were caught somewhat off-guard since we didn't expect it to happen so quickly and we didn't really know where we would go. We weren't worried about it, just didn't know what would lie ahead. 

This dream struck me since we have not really talked about selling our home; in fact, we are getting closer to finally having it paid off! This old house is far from perfect, but it has stood through a major hurricane, escaped several nearby tornadoes, and weathered just about every other kind of storm that could come its way. It won't be featured in a decorating magazine or anywhere other than this blog...and my memories. It has served us well. Nope, no thoughts of moving at all...This was all on my mind so I decided to look up the meaning of selling your home in dreams.

One theme popped up over and over - selling a home means leaving an old way of life and moving on. (Another post said it meant I was preparing to die, but I choose to ignore that one.)

Leaving an old way of life and moving on, I guess that pretty much depicts where I am in my life. As I prepare for BOTH of my children to move out in the coming months, I find I am re-evaluating my life and what it will now become. The fact that the couple in my dream is one that adopted their child a little over a year ago just cements that this is probably what prompted this dream. Both of my children are adopted and I have pretty much poured my life into them for the past 21 years, like any parent does. Now they don't really need me like they once did. 

I remember that just a few days before we brought our daughter home, a pastor friend prayed over us and told me he felt God wanted me to know something. He told me that even though I had been active in ministry, I was about to begin the ministry that would bring me greater joy than I had ever imagined. He had no idea we were planning to meet with the adoption agency that week to bring our daughter home, but he was so right...this "ministry" of being a parent has been one of the hardest and yet most fulfilling things I could have ever imagined. I have failed more times than I'd like to admit, but I am so grateful for the opportunity to be "Mom." In fact, I have loved that I have been known as "Sam's mom" or "Levi's mom" over the past two decades...but now it's time to find a "title" change.

So now I find myself "selling" the old me - really more like turning it over to a younger family just beginning this journey, and an unknown future lies ahead. What I have known will soon become history, something in the past. Ahead lies...well, I have no idea what lies ahead.

I guess in a way we are all "selling our houses" at some point in our lives. Life is anything but static. During all this "change" I can hang on to the promise of God that no matter what lies ahead, He is already there. 

For all of those "fellow moms" who are finding that their title is changing, I pray that as you "sell your house" you have peace. God has so much more for us and I pray that you find your new "title" quickly. Like parenting, I have a feeling it will be far more difficult and FAR more rewarding than we could have ever imagined.

A blog from a friend really helped solidify my thoughts on this topic. I highly recommend it to all my fellow wanderers...
 Lost and Wandering in your Wilderness by Dr. Beverly Smallwood

No matter where our journey takes us, our Father knows and has made a way for us...and it will be good. 

Jeremiah 29:11

 I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

Philippians 3

12-14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

15-16 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.

17-19 Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

20-21 But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.