Sunday, September 30, 2007

All Things

I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber...
(Psalm 121-1-3)

The Wasatch mountains wear a cloak of deep red in their foothills, even as their shoulders rest under a mantle of white. Early snow has come to this land, before the leaves have even begun falling in earnest; the colors have just begun their march of change.

Big, fat, wet flakes fell for hours on Saturday, bringing delight to the hearts in this little place.

From our third floor, we couldn't see that the flakes did not stick. We didn't see the puddles that lined the black concrete parking lot below. From where we stood, in a room warmed by automatic heat, all we could see was a gossamer blanket, knit together even as it fell, and filling the air so that at times we could not see past our deck. The kettle was promptly filled and set to heat for hot chocolate, and Mama wished for new slippers to warm her icy toes.

As we found joy in His creation, His elements, we drew near to each other in the home God has provided for us. Cold caused us to huddle together, to reach for a book instead of the remote. To open the game closet instead of being away in separate rooms. To dream, and hope, and imagine.

For hearts to pound out a joyful rhythm... Sold...sold...sold!

For He has done this thing. So well. Our home is sold! And the days and weeks of worrying just fall away, as we see through grateful eyes the hand of the Father orchestrating everything in His perfect timing.

We have prayed for over six months, together with our children, for someone to love our home. For someone to need it. And if, Lord, the price is too high and we have to come down so that this person, this family could finance it, so be it.

And He heard.

We wait, in patience and in peace, for the completion of the sale. In full knowing that things can change so quickly on this fallen earth; we put our trust in the Lord.

We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.
(Psalm 33:20-22)

Today, the sun shines. A frost covers the trees, and our breath hangs misty in the air, but the clear day affords a divine peek at the hills. And as we worshipped together this morning, the chant, "He does all things! He does all things- well!" echoed in my heart.

We have only to lift up our eyes to the hills.

27 fellow travelers shared:

Cosette said...

That was beautiful, Elise. And I'm so glad that your house has sold! So what does that mean the next step is for your family?
I imagine the scenery is beautiful where you are--the way you describe the mountains and the snow is so peaceful.

Andrea said...

Wonderful, Elise, I am so happy for you all. What a burden has lifted.
I also *love* this post.
You've said this so beautifully! I love every well-chosen word, for I know you've done that. It makes me see the beauty of the Psalmist's words-- "I lift my eyes to the hills"--right there in Salt Lake. Oh, I am so glad for you. Thank you Lord!!

Laura Talbert said...

Rejoicing with you, Elise! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

Inspiration Station said...

Wasn't the snow a surprise yesterday? I don't know if I'm ready for winter yet, without enjoying fall first. Welcome to unpredictable weather here in Utah. Sounds like a wonderful evening spent indoors with your family. I'm so thrilled for your house selling. I hope all goes well with the sale!
Mindy :)

A said...

Hooray! Glad it sold. I can remember the snow appearing on those same mountains! My favorite was rainy cloudy days when you could look at the canyons and see the clouds hanging down so low. There are some days that I really miss Logan!

Always good to hear from you!

Amanda

Amico Dio said...

This is wonderful news Elise! I will be praying that all goes well with the final steps of the process!!

Stacy said...

Elise,

~YAY, God!~ :) Celebrating His goodness with you!
~Stacy

Sarah said...

A lump forms in my throat as I remember my Utah mountains, such beautiful falls there. And your picture of a snowy day in your apartment brings back memories of our basement apartment with cinderblock walls. We made it home, and we miss it even, for home truely is where your family is, where your heart is. Thanks for remembering me Elise, it means a lot to see your comments and knowing that I am still being lifted up. I love the thought of our little ones playing together!
So much love for you Elise!
Always, Sarah

Beverly said...

Elise, dear - my heart is so GLAD for you. Praise the Lord for His goodness!! And I felt so warm and fuzzy as you described the coziness you experienced with the snow falling outside. What a happy family ... and thank you Lord for providing for my friend Elise.

Christine said...

Praising God with you! His timing is perfect, often seen only in the "after". Love to you and your family!

Jenn @ Knee-Deep in Munchkin Land said...

Congratulations my friend! I know that its a burden lifted and I am so happy for you. I rejoice in His timing with you. It sounds absolutely beautiful in Utah. With so many friends that live there, I can't believe I've yet to visit such a beautiful state.

Congrats again!!

Liberty said...

Praise the Lord! God is so good!

Merri said...

Beautiful post, and now I am missing "home" again. Praise God for your house selling. He truly is so good.

Beka said...

Amen-- praise the Lord! I am so thrilled and joyful for you. God has indeed provided for you in such wonderful ways. He does all things well!

Your description of the beautifully falling snow made me feel like I was there with you. Our God has given you such a gift with words!

Hope your day is a blessed one!

Joy @ SAH Missionary said...

Prais the Lord! Oh, I am rejoicing with you today!
Blessings,
Joy

Rebekah said...

How wonderful! This time last year, we were going through the same thing, and your words remind me of the joy and peace God gave as he worked it all out...in his time, I might add.
"He does all things well." Amen!
God bless,
Rebekah

Delete said...

Praise God! Learning to accept His time and not ares is so challenging but He always comes through!

Thank you for all of your kind and encouraging words over the past few weeks. I am so sorry for not stopping in soon. I am over 700 blog reads behind. Yikes! But I don't want to delete everything because then I might miss something important.

Blessings to you for this first week of October.

Jenny

PS I have a CBM entry ready on my homeschool blog when you are ready.

Audrey said...

PRAISE HIM! I have prayed for you and your home selling, as I know so many others have.

He hears our words!

"YOU open your hands and satisfy the desires of all things"

PS, we will enjoy our 80-90's for about a month longer, I dislike being cold, LOL

Joyful Days said...

How wonderful and awesome!! About the house--snow?? Not sure I'm quite up for that.

Kendra said...

Hooray!
Now, you can recover all of those books you've been missing from storage even sooner!

Anonymous said...

Praise God!

So happy your house sold and under God's terms. Isn't He a great realtor? :-)

Blessings,

Ness

Ann Voskamp @Holy Experience said...

Thank you, Father.
Thank you...

May I skip with you too, Elise?

Anonymous said...

Elise, that beautiful!
I love Psalm 121... my absolute favorite and I've recited it so often over the years. I especially like it in times of joy when you can look back and SEE that yes indeed my help comes from the LORD the Maker of heaven and earth.
I rejoice with you!

MammaMayMiller said...

I felt so cosy and warm reading the opening lines of this post!! And then felt a great excitement when you shared that your house had been sold... What you have written here oozes with joy and hope and faith :o) Praise God for His goodness. Psalm 121 is the one that I have kept going back to since Ben's accident! Tis a good one indeed.
Much love
xx
Ps: can't believe it's so cold where you are already!! Hot chocolate is absolutely a must. Hmmmmm...

Maxine said...

So happy for you, Elise! And reading about your sweet home is a blessing also. These are the precious commodities of this life, and may the Lord help us to savor them. Glad to hear about all that our God is doing for you.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad, Elise! Yay! :)

Laura said...

Praise Him. So happy for you!!!

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