The Home That Blesses (Part 2)

When the world treats you bad and your heart feels cold

Come to your Safe Place Called Home

When your'e tired of standing and the taunting gets old

Come to your Safe Place Called Home

As you've spent your days standing true and so bold

Come to your Safe Place Called Home

Your family awaits you .. to embrase you ... into its fold

Come to your Safe Place Called Home

We were still in the town in Ohio when we received an offer to move to the upper part of a beautiful ranch style house. It was the same rent as we were paying for the Upstairs House. We jumped at the opportunity and made an appointment to look inside.

The owner, Jeff met us at the house. As he led us on a walk through I observed the condition of the house and I was very disappointed. It had old beat up orange carpet, ugly paint colors, brocaded drapes and dirty cupboards. I was grossed out! .. but I tried hard to conceal it from Jeff. As we walked back to the car I realized that Gary was singing and his eyes were dancing and animated .. "What could he possibly be happy about,?" I wondered.. After settling back into the car he started talking. "Mekenzie, if Jack will allow us to paint and put new flooring throughout .. I can make this house look beautiful!" Bewildered by the verb beautiful being used in relationship to the house we just saw .. I sat dumbfounded. I could not see what Gary saw in his mind .. he continued, "And if we scrub it clean and you put your special touches to the place - it will sparkle with personality." I admit that I have never been good at imagining what the end result of a mess would look like ... but Gary is gifted with the ability to see the finished product ... especially in the area of building and remodeling. I just looked at him puzzled and responded ... "If you say so Gary." He smiled over at me and touched my cheek ... "I promise sweetie, after we put our hands and our hearts into this place ... you will love it!"

Jeff agreed to swap three months rent in return for labor. We scrubbed the house down and prepared it for the update. Jeff allowed me to pick out the carpet and he purchased it. Gary and I painted all the walls in soothing and soft tones. I picked out some flattering curtains to accent the room and voila - a transformation was realized. From ugly, dirty and outdated to beautiful, sparkling, comfy and cozy.

The finished product was more than my little mind could fathom. All of the rooms were spacious. Our Daniel had his big boys bed in a red and blue themed boys room. We prepared the third bedroom in preparation for a new baby because, oh yes, our baby girl Renee was going to join us in the Beautiful House. The living room and dining room flowed together as one space which hosted many meaningful moments spent with our teens.

We brought our baby girl ... our second child home to our Beautiful house. We had so enjoyed our active little boy and I was hoping to have a sweet little girl this time. Well, I got the prettiest little peanut. Renee was petite and shy ... so opposite of her brother. She had big brown eyes that reminded me of a precious moment's doll. The teens adored her and though very shy, she trusted the teens as family. They loved to carry her around and smother her with kisses .. why wouldn't she love them?

Through much soul searching Gary felt he needed to go back to school to get his Master's degree. I have always believed in the benefits of furthering education ... so I supported his decision wholeheartedly. We planned our trips to Michigan to pick out our next home and to sign Gary up for courses. On one of our trips we found a perfect little Old Fashioned House in a nice neighborhood at a price we could afford. After signing the papers I was officially excited to own our very first house. The day came when we had to say our final teary goodbye's to our teens and friends. We packed up our treasures, and our two little loves, then headed for our new home in Michigan.

The Old-fashioned house was my favorite so far. When we saw it, it was love at first sight. It was a charming two story. There was character in every nook and cranny. I observed the tender details and craftsmanship of the men that built this house.

Have you noticed how solid the homes of the past were built? These aged and faithful homes speak of a day when people put their best into everything they touched believing that their work was a reflection of themselves. This house had beautiful heavy wooden french doors that separated the big entrance from the living room. The staircase railing, with its curves and grooves reminded me of a staircase in a fairy tale I once read. Upstairs, sitting in a very large bathroom stood a big iron clawed bathtub where we took, shall I say ... very deep baths... The dining room was huge with lots of windows and had a lovely old fashion chandelier gracefully hanging over the dining room table. Oak woodwork framed the floors and crown molding added such charm and personality to the ceilings throughout the house.

Although Gary was extremely busy with school, a carpentry job and working at UPS part time .. his handyman abilities and my grunt work made this old home a beautiful showplace. We tore layers and layers of very old wallpaper off the walls and painted each room. Gary sanded, stripped and varnished the dining room floor.... my how it shined. We pulled up the ancient carpet and replaced it with a beautiful warm carpet (Gary had picked up when a customer threw out their 'old' carpet... which looked like new!) We have pictures of Daniel (with a huge smile; covered in paint) painting his bedroom with Daddy. Crisp white ruffled curtains gracefully framed each window. What a cozy, beautiful, comfortable place to retreat.

In this home I met my dearest friend Sally. When we left our first ministry, I took some insecurities with me. I had been a Pastor's wife ... but never understood what that meant. The teens .. no problem man .. I was their second mom and they loved me with a passion, but the parishioners .. now that was another story. Everyone seemed to expect something different from me. I got the distinct impression that some expected me to start programs and be a leader while others felt I should be a quiet little mouse .. in a supportive role to my husband. How in the world could I please such opposite ends of the spectrum? You know the answer ... I couldn't!

As I discussed this dilema with Sally (who is a former Pastor's kid) she made the most profound observation ... she said, "Mekenzie, you are who you are .. there is no description for a Pastor's wife but to be who you are." Seems as obvious as the nose on your face doesn't it? But it wasn't to me until she spoke it. There was such a freedom in my friendship with Sally. She really loved and respected me just as I am. A few times I dared to share some of my shortcomings with her. She would laugh at me and say... "Oh, so you're human too are you? I never again tried to be anything but who I was created to be with my unique personality ... quirks and all.

In the beautiful house Sally, Mary and I started a ladies Bible class. The plans for the class were from God ... there is no question. Let me tell you the story. One day I was downstairs taking a shower and thinking about how much fun it would be to have a Home Bible Study in our neighborhood. The neighborhood was filled with young families and I had made lots of friends and acquaintances. The thought popped into my head that maybe I should host the study from my home. That would be great - I love having people gather in my home. Then there was a prompting from above ... "You could teach the class Mekenzie" ... Now, if you know me, you know that I'd rather be in a support role and be the cheerleader for someone else. So ... with this prompting in my Spirit ... I said a simple prayer... God if you want me to lead a Bible Study you will have to make it very clear that it is ME that YOU want to teach it otherwise I'm just putting that thought right out of my mind. I thought I was off the hook ...thinking it was probably a prompting of my own making ... surely it wasn't God.

I got out of the shower, dried my hair wrapped up in a fluffy pink robe and headed upstairs. As I turned into the living room, I kid you not, I saw Sally and Mary at my front door. I welcomed them in noticing the furtive expressions .. they had come with an agenda .. "Mekenzie," Sally began, "We've been thinking about the possibility of starting a Ladies Bible Study" "Really," I responded with my eyes almost popping out of my head (we had never discussed it.) "Yes," continued Sally, "and we want you to lead it." I was stunned - and I was caught. God, I thought ... this isn't very funny. I think I saw Him smiling and winking at me ...

What followed that encounter with my neighbors turned out to be month's of agonizing study for me... a painful journey see-sawing between feeling inadequate and depending on God. Sometimes I wanted to call at the last minute and cancel ... feeling panicked .... Instead I would pray and say ... whatever God ... I studied ... now I depend on you to lead. He never failed me and the Holy Spirit would equip me to feel totally free and guide me in each discussion.

The Bible Study group was filled with diversity .... black, white, Christian, Catholic, unbelievers. Everyone was respected and every one was accepted. All were seekers and open to understand what the Bible had to say. One very intelligent young lady, Annie, really bombarded us with questions. If I did not know the answer I would openly admit it and tell her I would do some research and hopefully have an answer for the next week. She was real cool with that and seemed to respect my honesty. Eventually Annie came to a place where it all clicked in her mind and she accepted Christ as her Savior. That was a night of great celebration.

It is amazing to reflect upon that time. The peace and love that reigned in the Old Fashioned House during our Ladies Bible Study ... though there were diverse backgrounds, personalities, levels of intellect and cultures we came together. There was a sweet knowing, an unspoken agreement to respect each others differences.

My third child was conceived in the old fashioned house. The memories of this time are filled with grave illness and friends who stepped in to help. Long story short, I was very ill with this unexpected pregnancy and eventually landed in the hospital. Two single college-aged friends came to my rescue. Mary came during the day and looked after my needs and the needs of my two little ones. Tammy came at night and did all the dishes and cooked meals to be frozen and eaten during the week. How I bless and treasure those young women ... In my time of need they were angels ministering to my family.

Soon the call came for Gary to become an Associate Pastor at another Church on the other side of Michigan. It was moving time again. I remember looking out my window at the New England Salt Box house that held my dearest friend in the world. I cried and grieved .. for I knew a once-in-a-lifetime experience was passing. Ours was a friendship so rare ... a trust so deep. I could no longer look upon my Sally's beautiful countenance as we engaged in serious conversation. But I took her with me, in my heart, and to this day she has a special place made just for her...it is her spot and she cannot be replaced. This Precious period of our life had come to an end.