It’s begun to dawn on me that life as I knew it for almost a quarter century is over.

When Tom and I learned we were expecting a baby way back in 1993, we were both working full-time, advancing well in our careers. As recent communication graduates of the University of Alabama (WAR EAGLE!!! –long story for another post…) we had already received awards and recognition for work in our chosen field, with dreams of continuing success.

We were young and naïve in many ways, I suppose, but as we began considering daycare options for our soon-to-be new addition, neither of us could find peace. Instead, we sensed God clearly leading us to seek ways the two of us could be the primary caregivers for the new life the Creator had entrusted to our family. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” the saying goes, and when you add God’s guidance and blessing to the mix, the results are “abundantly more than we can even ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Eventually, we sold our two new cars, opting instead for one smaller used vehicle. We did the cloth diaper thing and made homemade baby food—both concepts that sound so strange now, but seemed perfectly reasonable to us then!   Tom continued to “climb the corporate ladder,” and I picked up part-time jobs that could be done either at home, with the kids, or (later) during their school hours. And God supplied our every need.

Babies two and three followed in the years to come, and the conviction to rear them the best we could “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” grew stronger and stronger. Even with the intentionality we brought to parenting, we made so many mistakes along the way, more than I care to number! Our children, like all human beings, are also far from perfect.   Somehow, though, and for some reason, God has chosen to bless our family . . .

. . . but not in ways the world always recognizes. I was reminded of that yesterday as our oldest and I drove through a beautiful neighborhood near our home. We admired the gorgeous homes, neatly manicured lawns, and wondered at the seven-car garage one home featured. (SEVEN-CAR GARAGE, Y’ALL!) As I drove our 11-year-old car back into the driveway of our modest older home (in need of much repair,) I felt more than a tinge of regret and envy. I was flat out jealous, to be completely honest, and I began to wonder what other people our age must think of us.

Then I looked at my son. I thought of our other son and our daughter, and the love they all have for the Lord and for each other. The Holy Spirit gently reminded me that THIS is the amazing home He has built for us through years. It’s a home no amount of money can buy. It’s a home we don’t deserve. It’s a home that will last for all eternity.

My purpose in writing this is NOT to say that everyone’s journey should be the same as ours! This is clearly the path God called US to follow, and God leads each family in the way they can best honor Him. There are plenty of wonderful Christian parents out there who honor the Lord and lead their family well while both working full-time. Maybe one of them even lives in that seven-car garage house!

My purpose in writing this is to encourage all who read to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path. “ (Proverbs 3:5-6) Even if the way doesn’t make financial or societal sense, God can be trusted. Follow wherever He leads, and trust His perfect provision.

Life as I knew it for nearly half my total years is now over. It was a joyous, exhausting, exhilarating, expensive, stressful 24 years…and I loved every minute of it. Now that the dust has settled, I’m here to endorse the contractor. God is a merciful master builder, and I’m thankful for the beautiful home He has built for our family . . . even if three of our cars have to be parked on the street when everyone is homeJ

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1

^“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11