So...I've started looking at houses this week.My realtor is delighted that we're back in touch. It's been 2 years since we last worked together, and even though I didn't get the little blue house that I bid on in February of 2007, at least I tried.
But I've finally started looking again because I realized that if I'm ever going to have the blessing of living with that gorgeous light green piano, I'd better get serious about looking at homes.
They say that the average person looks at 7 homes before she decides to buy one, but at this point, I have looked at 11. However, it is the 10th one that has captivated my heart.
It's right across the street from a Catholic Church and only a short walk to my school. This means that--in a real physical way--Jesus is my neighbor, living across the street in the Tabernacle. What an honor it would be to live so close to his Real Presence.
Upon entering the front door of the little house, we were greeted by a statue of my patron saint, St. Catherine Laboure, and my heart was instantly warmed. What are the odds that I should meet her immediatley upon entering?! A comfortable, knowing smile came upon my face.
A large icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help reigned in the living room, with a large statue of St. Joseph keeping patronage over the basement. I spotted a first class relic of St. Jude and also of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, both of whom I have relied upon heavily with prayer. A statue of Our Lady sat lovingly in the garden. Her presence even graced the windowsill in the garage.
The little house is adorable but way more than I could ever afford. Nothing, nothing, nothing less than a mircale would be needed for me to have the honor of living there. With confidence, I am placing all of this in God's trusting hands. Only what He wills for my life is possible, and I take comfort in that!
And so this Wednesday, when I meet with my new spiritual director, I will tell him about the Bible verse that God has presented to me FIVE times since the end of March. I feel that this verse is equally as important as my 3-year Marian promise.This June 22, I will enter my third year, and if this year I am to truly "sow and reap; plant vineyards and eat their fruit," what does that entail?
Is it a call to action? If I put down metaphorical roots, am I thus planting metaphorical vineyards? If I invest in a house, am I sowing seeds for the future?
Pray for me, dear reader, that I may follow God's will in all things and remember that my TRUE home is in Heaven.
