I carried our wind chimes in from the back porch; one of the very last items to be packed. Three solid days of careful thought when labeling boxes "apartment" or "storage" had resulted in an empty and echoing house.

As I firmly shut the door, the flapping of the tattered roof of the ancient barn behind the parsonage traveled across our yard and followed me inside. The chimes in my hand rang out and I felt a tugging at my heart for the small town we were leaving. The cows meandering through the pastures, the wheat fields bending in the hot wind blowing over the mountains, the deer bounding through meadows and delighting us on our family bike rides.

This is the only home Eliana has ever known. It is a place where my sons learned to relate to the sweet people who were ten times their age. Where a deeper relationship was forged between my husband and myself, for at times it surely seemed we were the only two people our age for miles.

It will always be so. Home. I did not want to leave.

Eliana came running as the beautiful notes tinkled across our the empty room; I knelt in front of her and watched her face as she breathed, "Ooooooh!" My sister, Maddie, knelt next to her, and we smiled across the little blonde head at her obvious delight.

Then her dimpled fingers reached out and clasped the nickel-plated chimes, and the notes ceased. At her confused and disappointed look, I laughed and gently loosed her fingers, saying, "No, Sunshine, you must let go to hear the pretty!"

The words echoed again in my heart as she settled onto her bottom and clapped joyfully at the music that once again filled the living room.

Yes, Beloved, you must let go to hear the beauty.

Here we are. We have left the tiny town that brought us such joy, led us through such growth these last two years. But my heart delights in the future for that small community; the hope that once again infuses their hearts, thanks be to God, not us.

The notes ring out of my heart in delighted anticipation for what the Lord has in store for us here, in our new home. I've let go my tight grasp that stifles the beauty He longs for me to hear.

And oh, it sounds lovely.

(Listening to and inspired by more beauty over here... )



You are always welcome at my little place - A Path Made Straight