This Little House

Founders Note: Today on the blog we have one of are monthly contributors, Vanessa, she is sharing her heart on this month's theme forgiveness. 

In an interesting turn of events, my family and I are moving into my childhood home. This little house was a house I moved into when I was in high school. 

Over the years that followed, many members of my family have moved in and out of that little house. My mom moved out, then my dad, then my mom and step-dad moved in with my teenage brother and sister, then my brother and sister moved out, then back in and then back out, then my family moved in while in transition, and now my mom and step-dad are moving out while my family moves back in! (breathe…)

My family fell apart in the little house, it grew, it changed, I changed, and we are different. As we are moving back to this little house I sit in reflection. I’m reminded of how God dwells richly in our hearts. He looks at the cracks in the ceiling, and the dirt on the floor and goes to work. He hangs curtains, he sweeps, he patches up the cracks, and He stays there exuding his peace, joy, and love.  He provides us with a safe place, a refuge, a fortress built on a solid rock. I breathe that truth in and breathe out forgiveness.

I forgive that my mom and dad divorced, I forgive that I left home too soon, I forgive that things were not always sound and remember. I remember that while it’s just a small structure, it holds sweet memories. Sweet harmonies learned in the kitchen where good food was made. The first date with my husband…my babies running through the hallway, little markings on the door frame showing the growth of little ones who have passed through, Easter egg hunts, baking cookies with Nana, tears, laughter, music…life.

Sisters, Dear Ones, listen up! Let the word of the Anointed One richly inhabit your lives. With all wisdom teach, counsel, and instruct one another. Sing the psalms, compose hymns and songs inspired by the Spirit, and keep on singing—sing to God from hearts full and spilling over with thankfulness. (Col. 3:16) Don’t let your inability to forgive turn you away from the blessing of living in the House of the Lord. Take it to Him. Lay it at His feet. Cry out to Him daily if you have to. But remember this, we have life to live. When we live this praise-life with our Father, it spills out and that un-forgiveness we felt is replaced with thankfulness.