It started as a joke. A silly suggestion to a problem we were facing that took root and grew faster than the weeds in my backyard. And just like those weeds, this idea wouldn’t die. Now? My husband, our three children, two dogs, and I are just a few short days away from moving onto a houseboat. I guess the joke's on me!
Some people think we are crazy. They are right. We consider ourselves adventurous, but at the end of the day that is just a label we give to choices that are ridiculous and scary. Most people are shocked and have a thousand questions. The most obvious: Why? I guess when it comes down to it, we are taking Jesus literally when He said, "Sell your possessions and follow me!"
A change in our finances and my career forced us to reevaluate life. When major change is happening, I find it difficult to hear from God; too often my own anxious thoughts get in the way. Knowing this about myself, I made sure to chase after God as if my life depended on it...because it did! My life and my future I place in the hands of God because I’ve seen the result of charting my own course, and let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.
A word of caution: be careful what you pray for! I prayed for complete surrender. I cried out to God and told Him I would go wherever He sent me, and I would do whatever He called me to do. I meant it. So when that crazy idea began to look more like divine intervention, we had to consider it. We prayed that God would make it clear if this was His plan for us. He did!
We ran into a family that has lived full time on the lake for three years, and they had not yet listed the boat for sale. They were Christians, too, so we developed a friendship and began praying together for God’s guidance. They negotiated the price so that it worked in our budget, and even though we listed our home $15,000 over the appraisal value, we were offered full price within minutes after we put it on the market. God has been in every single detail, so at this point, we are moving forward out of obedience.
Before you go putting us up on some sort of pedestal, I have a few confessions to make. There has been a little kicking and screaming along the way. I’ve spent many moments on the floor of my closet - begging God for a different direction – perhaps one on solid ground! I may have even convinced the termite inspector to write up a bogus report so the sale of our house would not go through, but I reconsidered before he actually submitted it. Hey! What can I say? The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!
I am a work in progress. I am both excited and scared out of my mind as we take the plunge. Get it? Okay, the puns are endless when it comes to this move, so I will refrain for your sake.
I came across an anonymous quote that read, “Maybe life isn’t about avoiding bruises. Maybe it’s about collecting the scars to prove we showed up for it.” At the end of my life, I want to know that when Jesus called, I showed up. I want my children to see that following Jesus can be exciting and scary all at the same time. I want them to know it won’t always be easy...but it will be worth it.
So, ready or not, here we go!