Life Lessons from Jerome

How does one prepare a home for renters? Our cozy home has a lived in feel that comes from almost 14 years of raising 4 mighty men!  The walls are nicked, the carpet is stained, closet doors are removed, kitchen trim needs finished, walls need painted where electrical wiring was reconfigured, things placed strategically to fit just so, our house functions a certain way because we know how things work and that’s the way things are done! How does one begin to explain some of these ‘things’ to new renters?  We could just hand over the keys and let them explore how the house functions for themselves … but, this is our house! Or, is it?  Today as I read David’s prayer from 1 Chronicles 29:14-19 … “Everything comes from God … all of it belongs to You!” I am challenged to not worry about the details of who will rent our home, what they will think of its quirks and peculiarities and how they will figure the ‘things’ out.  Instead of holding tightly to this home, I will offer it back to the Giver, this home is His!  Thank you Father for this gift, use it for Your glory!

2 rolls: 12 ft x 18 ft ... rockin the Passat wagon!

Life lesson from Jerome (condensed version).  I met Jerome as he carried the first 12 ft x 15 ft roll of carpet to the front of the store for me.  As I wondered around the store processing if this was the right color, size and price, I encountered a large pile of carpet rolls ON SALE! I met Jerome again as I sheepishly told him I think I may want this one instead of that one … “OK, just let me know when you decide for sure.” After a few phone calls and a picture texted to The hubby, I decided to buy the one on sale AND another one on sale.  Jerome: “So you want both of those and not that one I already took up front?”  Me: “Yes, sorry, I just couldn’t decide.” Jerome: “Did you call your husband?” Smiling, I said, “Yes, he’ll be picking it up tomorrow.” Jerome: “What kind of car do you have? … I’ll fit them in your car today … Just do what I tell you and everything will work out all right.  Just trust me!”  Jerome knows nothing of our journey, why I was buying two new carpet remnants, and that he had now entered my world of blogging.  However, as I ‘high-fived’ Jerome for an awesome carpet car stuffing job, I thanked Father for the gentle reminder in my Spirit “just do what I tell you, just trust ME” … Our home is not in Akron or CR; it is forever with Father … Where You go, I will go!


Praises
-Celebrating 15 years of wedded bliss for only $9.00!
        We enjoyed a gift card lunch at Long Horn
         A gift of a Couples’ Massage
         2 free McDonald Frappe’s
-School is becoming a routine
-3 Free loads of dirt to seed where our pool was
-Monthly financial partners … we thank God for each of you!
-Come to Me you who are weary and I will give you rest! Matt. 11:28

Prayers
-Renters for our Akron residence ; )
-Tax preparer … knowledge of international taxes.  Advice?
-For God’s glory to be shown through compassion toward each other in the walls of our home.  Most days it’s easy to show and  share God with the world around us. However,  in our home where we can be real, it is a  different story.  This could be a whole other  blog!
-A new family for our cat, Violet … any takers?
-Monthly financial partners emm.org/donate
-Wisdom on how to process a matching gift fund