Home.......

About a week or so ago my landlord had an accident. Rather than braking when putting the car away, he accelerated and hit the back of the garage, which also forms the side wall of my home. He wasn't badly hurt, thankfully, but the same cannot be said of the house. As the boiler is just on the other side of the bathroom wall, I now have no heating and no bathroom to speak of, though the toilet is still operational, so we can be thankful for small mercies!

Though my home is in a beautiful location, and was an absolute God given blessing when I first arrived, I haven't been quite so content in the last year or so, the house itself isn't the best piece of construction and the damp problems are worse now, even prior to the accident, there were many occasions when taking an item of clothing from the wardrobe or chest of drawers, it would be feel claggy and cold when I put it on, not life threatening but definitely unpleasant. 

The lounge is a lovely large room but, even with double glazing, it never has been warm and cosy. So, with the damage to the house and at present no indication of when this might be repaired, it seems it is time to go. It's been a blessing but I am pretty darn sure this is a nudge (or loud crash!) to move on.

I hadn't previously looked for somewhere, as because of debt issues, I can't afford normal rental prices, and I have a small furry friend in the shape of Purdey the cat, so suitable places can be tricky to find and it's stressful looking for somewhere to live, therefore I had avoided it!

But now, I have made the decision that come what may, I'm moving out before Christmas - there have been plenty of kind offers of temporary places, but, as yet, none that can take Purdey too. Still, past experience has shown me that God has always provided a suitable home, it's just a case of when and where. 

So, moving out is a step of faith, I may have to go through the rigmarole of putting most of my possessions in storage and deal with all the administrative issues of not having a permanent base and I don't even want to think about Christmas (!) but underneath this I sense the quiet purpose of God and a brewing excitement at being somewhere new. I'm just praying for the strength to do what I can, and the ability to trust the rest to God.

In all this, I am struck by the kindness of my friends and church family, and how little changes recently have left me in a better place emotionally to cope with this, the Lords timing is perfect, even though, when in the midst of situations like this, it can seem a trifle haphazard!

At present I am trying to take the time to ponder on what home means, what I value in it and whether any of that needs to change but also how deeply I trust God,and what that means in practical and emotional application. I sense a learning curve approaching..........