Patience vs Impatience

I've been confronted with my impatience in a number of ways this week. Just now, as I began to become angry and frustrated (forms of impatience), I searched BibleGateway.com for 'patient'. A number of verses were referenced, but I found particular comfort in the following result.

Ecclesiastes 7:8

8Better is the end of a thing than its beginning,
and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

I certainly have seen this truth displayed powerfully in the past year. I see it all the time in smaller, everyday matters. Some circumstances seem really difficult as I approach them... dread takes over and I tend to make those circumstances more monstrous than they really are and wonder to myself, "How will I ever survive?". And often, once the 'ordeal' is over, I look back and see that it wasn't really an ordeal at all, but blessing. Sure, it was tough at times, but it was good too. And when I have truly experienced an ordeal, I can see the blessing of our God all the more clearly.

I also, found alot of timely, practical wisdom for some other current struggles in these verses.

2 Timothy 2:22-26

22So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24And the Lord's servant^[d] must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

There's a lot to unpack there, but I just thought I'd share.

B

Bittersweet decision...

When we left Houston, TX a little over 3 years ago and settled on the MS Gulf Coast, it was supposed to be a "forever" decision. While we realize things do change, our point was we wanted to settle down and establish some roots rather than moving every couple of years. Well, God has other plans for us, and we are once again moving--more than likely BACK to Houston!!


This is a bittersweet decision. I am leaving a job I love where I was slated to be promoted (BIG promotion) by the end of the year. We are also leaving a house we only recently finished renovating (actually, it's still not technically finished!)- and that was featured on Trading Spaces!! Of course, there are also friends we will miss and hope will visit us in the future!

We are excited about the move and feel confident God is leading us away from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We did not make this decision lightly and do not think the transition will be without hiccups, but we're confident God will sustain us as He's done so faithfully in the past. Please pray for us during this time- specifically:
- for confirmation/clarity regarding where we will move (again, likely H-town, but we want to be sure)
- that the transition will be smooth
- that our house will sell quickly and for a fair price
- that we'll find a new home quickly (preferably one with minimal renovation required!)

If you know anyone wanting to move to the Biloxi area, our house is for sale!!

A Picture is worth a thousand words...

Here are some much requested and overdue pictures of the house progress. Sorry there's not more "story" to go with it, but words are failing me today...

EXTERIOR: We finished planting the front garden (courtesy of Scott) and mulched the beds. You can see Luke and Batch hard at work in the center picture! The last picture is of the rear deck- it's still not completely finished, but we enjoyed dinner out there on Labor Day!


KITCHEN: It's FINISHED!!! The last picture is a view from the kitchen into the living room and dining room. It's a great open space and perfect for entertaining!