Man plans, but God prevails. A few months ago, we thought the Lord was pointing us east to a new location, new home, new adventure. Our daughter and son-in-law wanted us to move in with them so they could be on hand to help us as we needed. We are getting older. Rick has advancing Parkinson’s, and I’m his full-time caregiver. We have some professional help, but family is so much better.
We all prayed about it for several months, still felt the push, and moved forward. Our “kids” sold their home, headed east to Tennessee, and started looking for a house that would work for all of us. Meanwhile we purged for a move, made lists of the things we would need to do if all went smoothly; changing banks, transferring benefits, finding insurance coverage, figuring out how to move a 95-pound separation anxiety German Shepherd across country. All during this time, we prayed.
Our daughter and son-in-law found a house. Inspection showed major foundation problems. We found another perfect house. The seller pulled it off the market the day we made an offer. We found a “will do” house and the sellers wanted a long escrow. Our prayers were answered. For us: “Wait.” For our daughter and son-in-law: “Find house for you two.” It was clear to all of us, and we all felt a peace beyond understanding.
Waiting means Christmas will be different this year. We won’t be able to have a family gathering with members scattered around the country. We have been spoiled having almost all of them together every Christmas Eve for years. We could whine about what we’re missing or look around for another way, a new way, to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
This year we will start a new tradition. Maybe we will invite other couples whose families are scattered, and they are “alone”. We can invite singles, widows and widowers. Instead of cooking (or our daughter cooking), we will pick up a catered dinner or have a big potluck dinner. We have a stock of Christmas movies, and games and puzzles in the garage cabinets. Flip a switch and have a nice fire in the hearth or slip in a DVD fireplace. We can have a nice Christmas Eve praise time right here. And we can still connect with family via FaceTime. The possibilities are endless!
Traditions are wonderful, but sometimes starting a new one will bring unexpected and surprising blessings.